NSAA assembly rejects 'gender-at-birth' rule for transgender student-athletes

Source: Omaha World Herald

By Paul Hammel

LINCOLN — The head of the state’s governing body for high school athletics defended his organization for adopting a policy that will allow transgender students, in some circumstances, to compete as a gender other than their gender at birth.

Jim Tenopir, executive director of the Nebraska State Activities Association, said that while the policy has plenty of critics, the policy will stand up better in court and gives all students a chance to participate.

“A transgender student has a fairly steep hill to climb under the board policy, but at least it provides a potential to participate,” he said.
“Is it right?” Tenopir asked. “I’d say it’s right as far as kids are concerned.”

On Friday, the NSAA’s Representative Assembly declined to adopt a more restrictive rule backed by parochial schools and some religious groups, which would have required students to participate based on their gender at birth.

FULL story at link.

Read more: http://www.omaha.com/news/nebraska/nsaa-assembly-rejects-gender-at-birth-rule-for-transgender-student/article_74fd26c8-fd9b-11e5-be18-73240a3cb6f3.html