The state of Pennsylvania said it would follow President Trump’s “No Men in Women’s Sports” executive order, but schools in Philadelphia will still let transgender players play in girls’ sports.
In a statement sent to Fox News Digital on Tuesday, the School District of Philadelphia said it would stick to its old policy that lets transgender people attend.
“The School District of Philadelphia works hard to make sure that all of its students are safe, treated fairly, and given the chance to achieve any future they can dream of. This is true no matter what gender they identify as or how they express themselves. It was said in the statement that the District would continue to support its LGBTQ+ kids in line with Board Policy 252 for transgender and gender non-conforming students.
The comment came the day after the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) changed its rules so that transgender athletes can’t play sports for girls. When a student’s “sex” is “questioned or uncertain,” the new policy lets the principal decide. It also includes a line that says, “In line with Trump’s executive order, schools are required to consult with their school solicitors relative to compliance with the order.”
Philadelphia’s failure to follow Trump’s order is the first known case of a city going against its own state’s policy on transgender inclusion since Trump’s order went into effect.
One school official in New York City spoke out against the state’s plan to go against Trump’s order. But it looks like the city and state will keep letting trans athletes participate.
The New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) told Fox News Digital that it has told schools to follow the rule that lets transgender athletes compete with girls, but it is still getting feedback from the public before making a final decision.
But Jasmine Ray, who runs the Office of Sports, Wellness, and Recreation for New York City Mayor Eric Adams, said on her Instagram story that she agreed with Trump’s order.
“To those asking about my position, as Director of NYC Sports & Rec, I stand with the recent executive order reinforcing the importance of fairness in women’s sports,” she said.
After a while, Ray took down her story and said she did so with the “guidance” of Camille Joseph Varlack, the mayor’s chief of staff.
Other key states are also split on the issue. For example, Pennsylvania is trying to follow Trump’s order but is being pushed back by Philadelphia.
Last week, the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) said that players who were “designated as females at birth” will only be able to play girls’ sports. Since 2013, Wisconsin has allowed transgender people to play in girls’ sports.
Meanwhile, Michigan has not followed Trump’s order and still lets transgender athletes play in girls’ sports. However, a bill has been introduced in the state government that would stop transgender athletes from playing in girls’ sports.
California, Massachusetts, Maine, and Minnesota are the four states being looked into by Trump’s Department of Education because they won’t follow the order.
Fox News Digital reported Tuesday that U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi told those states that they must follow federal antidiscrimination rules that say boys can’t play sports with girls or else they will be sued.
“This Department of Justice will hold accountable states and state entities that violate federal law,” Bondi said. “Indeed, we have already begun to do so.”
In her speech, Bondi talked about how the Justice Department had sued Illinois and New York earlier in February for breaking federal immigration rules.
“We also stand ready to sue states and state entities that defy federal antidiscrimination laws,” Bondi said.
