This is perhaps my favorite of all the great pieces that you’ve written. As a member of the ALJ Athletic Hall of Fame, it’s got me thinking that we probably need to do something to recognize the pre-title 9 athletes at our school as well. And yes, access to competition is under attack as we speak. Thankfully, the law in NJ, and the policies of the NJSIAA (which actually pre-dates the NJ law) guarantees the rights of transgender students to compete in accordance with the gender that they identify with. While there is an appeals process for schools who feel that the participation is either unfair or unsafe, no school has ever filed an appeal. Not a single appeal in over 20 years that the policy has been in place. This suggests to me that the “problem” of “men playing against girls” is a manufactured issue designed incite rage. This article should be required reading for anyone interested in high school athletics in NJ. Excellent work!
Steve, your comment means a great deal to me, as it's the work of someone who has served New Jersey's young people with such great commitment, wisdom, and compassion since the 1970s. Your career in education makes you someone to whose views we should all accord immense respect. Thanks for enhancing that post!
This is perhaps my favorite of all the great pieces that you’ve written. As a member of the ALJ Athletic Hall of Fame, it’s got me thinking that we probably need to do something to recognize the pre-title 9 athletes at our school as well. And yes, access to competition is under attack as we speak. Thankfully, the law in NJ, and the policies of the NJSIAA (which actually pre-dates the NJ law) guarantees the rights of transgender students to compete in accordance with the gender that they identify with. While there is an appeals process for schools who feel that the participation is either unfair or unsafe, no school has ever filed an appeal. Not a single appeal in over 20 years that the policy has been in place. This suggests to me that the “problem” of “men playing against girls” is a manufactured issue designed incite rage. This article should be required reading for anyone interested in high school athletics in NJ. Excellent work!
Steve, your comment means a great deal to me, as it's the work of someone who has served New Jersey's young people with such great commitment, wisdom, and compassion since the 1970s. Your career in education makes you someone to whose views we should all accord immense respect. Thanks for enhancing that post!