‘There was a man in my locker room’: Tumwater athlete vows to keep fighting for girls sports

Tumwater High School senior Frances Staudt, who sat out a basketball game in February 2024 rather than compete against a transgender player, is speaking out in support of Initiative 638, which would require biological sex verification for girls’ school sports. Staudt says the experience affected her team and locker room, and she’s pushing back against claims the measure could require invasive exams. Though Tumwater is outside Burien, this statewide ballot initiative and high school sports debate may resonate with South King County families.