In response to the State of Alaska Board of Education's decision today to ban transgender athletes from participating in girls' sports across the state, Assembly Members Christopher Constant and Felix Rivera issued the following statement:
“Today is a sad day for Alaskans. The board, which is composed of a small, homogenous group with a big fear that transgender athletes are a threat to girls' sports, made a decision that will hurt children and families. This blatant act of discrimination does not go unnoticed.
The decision to discriminate may have direct local implications. In May, we sent a letter to the Alaska School Activities Association (ASAA) Board of Directors, warning that the adoption of the discriminatory policy would open serious legal liability and put the Anchorage School District (ASD) participation in all ASAA sanctioned sport activities in jeopardy. We are actively seeking legal advice on this critical issue.
We condemn the decision by the Alaska Board of Education and implore ASAA to adopt inclusive policies that empower transgender athletes to play."
Assembly Members Constant and Rivera sent the Alaska School Activities Association Board of Directors a letter on May 1, 2023, warning of the implications of the policy to ban transgender athletes from participating in girls' sports.
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Contact:
Christopher Constant | Assembly Member, christopher.constant@anchorageak.gov
Felix Rivera | Assembly Member, felix.rivera@anchorageak.gov