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The School District of Philadelphia says it will allow transgender students to compete in sports that match their identity. This decision comes in response to recent rule changes made by the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) Board of Directors to restrict transgender participation in school sports in order to comply with one of Donald Trump’s executive orders.
The executive order in question threatens to revoke federal funding from educational institutions that permit transgender athletes to compete on sports teams matching their gender.
On February 19th, the PIAA held a meeting to discuss the policy changes. One topic addressed at this meeting was Executive Order 14201, entitled “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports.” The board approved the motion to remove their transgender policy and amend section 4—article XVI in the bylaws handbook. The section covers mixed-gender participation in both in-season and out-of-season rules and regulations.
The section used to say, “Where a student’s gender is questioned or uncertain, the decision of the Principal as to the student’s gender will be accepted by PIAA.”
The rewording now substitutes “gender” with “sex” and replaces “Principal” with “school.”
The amendment added reads as follows: “In accordance with the Presidential Executive Order 14201 entitled ‘Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports’, dated February 5, 2025, schools are required to consult with their school solicitors relative to compliance with the Order.”
The policy shift would apply to all school districts in the state of Pennsylvania despite contradicting state laws banning gender discrimination, as well as Title IX, which bans sex-based discrimination in education, which some lawyers argue bans anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination in schools.
The School District of Philadelphia plans to continue allowing students to compete participate in sports teams aligning their gender in accordance to state laws.
Christina Clark, communications officer for the School District of Philadelphia, said in a statement, “The district will continue to align its practices to support its LGBTQ+ students in accordance with Board Policy 252 for transgender and gender non-conforming students.”
Board Policy 252 forbids school staff from disclosing a student’s chosen gender identity to not only other staff and students but to parents as well and says that transgender and gender-nonconforming students shall be permitted to participate in sports and physical education classes in a manner consistent with their gender identity.
Staying resolute in their policy could pose issues, especially when competing against PIAA-compliant schools. Kristina Moon, an attorney with the Education Law Center, suggests “they could comply or they could challenge it in court, or with a complaint.”
Trump’s order threatens to cut school funding for noncompliance. Philadelphia uses federal grant funding to support special education services and early childhood development programs, which make up nearly $619.3 million of its $4.5 billion operating budget.
It’s not just Philadelphia that’s refusing to comply with Trump’s order.
Recently, New Jersey’s athletics association for school districts, the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA), affirmed that it would not be changing its policies on trans athletes, saying that the organization’s policies are designed to be consistent with state law.
The California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) also refused to change policies for the same reasons. When asked to comment on their decision, a spokesperson for the CIF sent an email stating: “The CIF provides students with the opportunity to belong, connect, and compete in education-based experiences in compliance with California law which permits students to participate in school programs and activities, including athletic teams and competitions, consistent with the student’s gender identity, irrespective of the gender listed on the student’s records,”
One of the boldest acts of defiance concerning this order came from Maine Gov. Janet Mills (D). After the president called her out for not complying with his order during a governors’ meeting he hosted at the White House, Mills confronted him directly. She informed him that his order doesn’t take precedence over state and federal laws, and Maine would not comply. Mills ended by saying, “See you in court” after Trump threatened to end all federal funding to Maine.
And these people are voting.