On September 5, a particular athlete participated in an Oregon boys' junior varsity race, finishing in 76th place. Just ten days later, that same individual was recorded competing in the girls' division. While school administrators reportedly approved this decision, the female runners from Camas High School found the situation unacceptable and collectively walked off the course.
Kevin and Sarah Burns, parents of one of the protesting athletes, Holly, spoke about their daughter's decision and that of her teammates. "Well, we told her that they should do what they feel is best and that they feel is right. And they got the support from their teammates, and they decided to make a difference," Kevin Burns stated.
He emphasized the significant number of girls involved in the protest. "I think if only a couple of girls had walked off it, they would have lost some opportunities. And I don't think it would have mattered so much. But so many of them," he added. Burns also noted that several athletes, including team captains, had previously left the team over similar concerns, indicating a broader sentiment of dissent than what was visible during the specific protest.
School District Cites State Regulations
When questions arose from families regarding the athlete's eligibility, the Camas School District indicated that its actions were dictated by state-level mandates. Officials clarified that Washington state law and the relevant high school athletic regulations require educational institutions to permit athletes to compete in categories that align with their stated gender identity.
Holly's father explained that the school's response effectively closed further discussion on the matter. "The school sent us out a letter stating that, based on Washington law, it prohibits discrimination based on gender identity and expression," he recounted. When the letter's message was characterized as telling families they had no recourse, he concurred, adding, "I guess it's okay to discriminate against actual gender."
Burden on Young Athletes
With many established athletic organizations and prominent sports figures remaining largely silent on this issue, the responsibility of taking a public stance often falls upon young competitors. Holly's mother, Sarah Burns, highlighted the emotional strain placed on these teenagers who simply wished to participate in their sport.
"They're children, they're, you know, they're 16 to 17-year-old girls that shouldn't have to deal with this at all, shouldn't even be on their radar," Sarah Burns expressed. "You know, they should just be able to go out there and race and have fun and not deal with this adult issue."
Parents Stand Their Ground
The tension extended to the sidelines during the event. When the parents arrived to show support for the runners with signs, security personnel attempted to remove them. Kevin Burns shared his belief in widespread public agreement on the issue. "We've actually received a lot of support. I think that there's a big silent majority on this," he said. "I think people are afraid to speak out, but that was one of the reasons why we went down there and we held up signs."
The couple refused to leave. "We got a lot of pushback showing up there. They said the signs weren't allowed. We had to leave. My wife Sarah was being very brave and did not care. And I don't think they had a legal reason to actually push us out," he recalled.
Their persistence paid off. "So we ended up actually staying there and holding our signs, and it gave the girls a boost of self-esteem. And we had a lot of parents coming up and saying, thank you for doing this. I was, I wanted to do this also. So this is kind of the start, I think."
A Call for Action
Sarah Burns articulated the core principle driving their advocacy: "I want to stand up for girls that need someone to stand up for them."
Kevin Burns also urged political leaders to address the matter, contending that safeguarding female athletics transcends typical political divides. "This is a big issue that most Americans on both sides of the political aisle agree with. And I don't know why, party members, especially on the right, aren't grabbing this more and pushing it," he remarked.
"I know they have in the past, but this is such a winning issue," he continued. "We have friends on both sides of the aisle that agree with the girls' rights to not have to compete against boys."
The situation highlights a growing trend where high school athletes are taking direct action when they feel adults in positions of authority have not adequately addressed their concerns regarding fair competition in sports.
