The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association is hosting an event for principals, athletic directors, coaches, and guidance counselors to support transgender athletic participation titled “Supporting Transgender Youth in Sports.”
It is one of two in-person workshops scheduled to take place in Franklin, Massachusetts from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m Tuesday, October 24. The MIAA is hosting this workshop session in conjunction with the Massachusetts School Administrators’ Association.
Here is the MIAA’s description of the event:
Competing in interscholastic athletic events raises questions around fairness and integrity as well as legal and moral issues. The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association supports all member schools and student-athletes as we strive to create an atmosphere that is beneficial for all participants. As we are all aware the participation of transgender student-athletes on high school sports teams is on the rise. This day will allow for school leaders to hear and understand the laws regarding district and school responsibilities regarding transgender student-athletes, competition, as well first hand success stories of schools and athletes that have supported and been supported during their athletic careers. We are hoping for an open and honest dialogue that brings everyone together for an understanding of the importance of inclusivity for all students.
The MIAA has explicitly allowed student-athletes who identify as transgender to participate on teams that match their self-selected gender identity since 2013. The state allows it due to a 2011 law called “An Act Relative to Gender Identity”; it made gender identity a protected class in Massachusetts public schools. As a result, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education directed the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association to allow people to compete on teams that match their gender identity, rather than their sex, in 2013.
Before the session on athletes who identify as transgender, the Massachusetts School Administrators’ Association is hosting a session titled “Supporting Transgender Youth in Schools.”
Here is a description of the event from its web site:
One such resource is a cutting edge Gender Support Plan that has been adopted at Newton South High School recently. The facilitator has used this tool in their career as an educator in public schools, and the feedback has been overwhelmingly supportive.
The main objective is for participants to gain a better understanding of LGBTQ+ students and how to better support them in schools. The workshop will prepare you to facilitate the use of the gender support plan at your school. You will also be granted access to the gender support plan, including the supplemental form to send to faculty.
Participants will:
· Learn up to date LGBTQ+ key concepts and the rationale for the importance of inclusion in schools
· Learn about key resources to bring to your school to better support LGBTQ+ students and faculty
Spokesmen for the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association and the Massachusetts School Administrators’ Association could not be reached for comment on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday.
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