Inside I-638: Biological Sex, Gender Identity and Girls’ Sports

Washington voters will decide Initiative I-638, “Protecting Girls in Sports,” on November 3. The measure would bar students defined as biologically male from girls-only interschool athletic competitions and require healthcare-provider verification of biological sex for all students seeking to participate in those sports. Current Washington Interscholastic Activities Association rules allow students to participate consistent with their gender identity. Both supporters and opponents say they’re protecting girls, but disagree on fairness, medical requirements, and transgender-rights concerns.