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Connecticut transgender athlete policy is subject of civil rights probe

HARTFORD  — The federal Office of Civil Rights has launched an investigation into Connecticut’s policy allowing transgender high school athletes to compet...
Transgender flag waving in blue cloudy sky, 3D rendering

HARTFORD  — The federal Office of Civil Rights has launched an investigation into Connecticut’s policy allowing transgender high school athletes to compete as the gender with which they identify.

The investigation follows a complaint by the families of three girls, who say they were discriminated against by having to compete in track against two athletes who are biologically male. They say that violates Title IX, the federal law designed to ensure equal athletic opportunities for females.

The Connecticut Association of Schools-Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference says its policy follows a state anti-discrimination law that says students must be treated in school by the gender with which they identify.

Connecticut is one of 17 states that allow transgender high school athletes to compete without restrictions, according to Transathlete.com, which tracks state policies.

Chase Strangio, staff attorney with the ACLU LGBT & HIV Project said in a statement:

“Efforts to undermine Title IX by claiming it doesn’t apply to a subset of girls will ultimately hurt all students. Girls who are transgender are girls. The Trump administration – from the Office of Civil Rights to the Supreme Court – is systematically trying to roll back rights for transgender people in all aspects of life. We will fight to defend transgender people across the country, including in sports.

“Connecticut’s policy of allowing all girls, including transgender girls, to run on the girls team remains unchanged.”

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