In recent weeks, four Oregon high school athletes have shared their deeply personal experiences with trans athlete inclusion in sports, prompting a national conversation on the topic. The young women, including Alexa Anderson, Lilian Hammond, Maddie Eischen, and Sophia Carpenter, described how their lives had been dramatically affected by competing against trans athletes in their respective sports. Their stories have drawn attention not only to the issue of gender inclusion in sports but also to the broader political and legal implications of these policies, particularly in the state of Oregon.
Alexa Anderson, a senior track and field star at Tigard High School, detailed the intense backlash she faced after refusing to stand on the same podium as a trans athlete during the state championship. She and her fellow medalist, Reese Eckard, were met with confusion, anger, and even verbal harassment from spectators. Anderson said that she felt targeted and that some fans shouted at her to leave the field. Despite the backlash, she insisted that she stood her ground and that she had support from many people in her community.
Lilian Hammond, a junior at Glencoe High School, recounted her traumatic experience of competing against a trans athlete in a swim meet. She said that she was unaware the opponent was a male, leading to feelings of betrayal and mistrust. She described the situation as deeply personal and emotionally distressing, especially considering that the athlete had access to the same facilities as the female athletes, including the locker room and restrooms. Hammond expressed concern that the situation had created an unsafe environment for other girls and felt violated knowing that a male had been in a space meant for women.
Maddie Eischen and Sophia Carpenter, both from Oregon high schools, also faced similar challenges with trans athletes. Eischen, a senior athlete, explained that she felt so overwhelmed by the situation that she decided to withdraw from a meet entirely, citing anxiety and trauma. Carpenter, a junior, shared her emotional distress and described how she felt pressured to make a decision about whether to compete in the presence of a trans athlete. Her decision to wear a shirt from the activist sportswear brand XX-XY Athletics was an expression of her stance on the issue.
These young athletes have also expressed how their experiences have influenced their political views and future voting decisions. One of the girls, Hammond, noted that she would now consider how candidates stand on issues of gender inclusion in sports, particularly referencing Donald Trump’s promises to address the issue. She emphasized that she would base her voting decisions on the rights of women and girls, including their access to restrooms and sports competition. Carpenter echoed this sentiment, noting that she would vote based on constitutional rights and the principles of Title IX.
The issue has not only sparked controversy among the girls but also drawn attention from legal and political groups. The America First Policy Institute has already filed a civil rights complaint against the state’s policies, which they argue violate Title IX and the First Amendment. They argue that the state’s policies have enabled the inclusion of biological males in sports that are traditionally female, and that this has put young women in a vulnerable position. The controversy has put Oregon under a national spotlight, with the state becoming a battleground for the ongoing debate over gender inclusion in sports.
The situation has also raised questions about the role of education officials and lawmakers in shaping these policies. Hammond and others have criticized the state’s approach, suggesting that it has led to confusion and misinformation among students and teachers. They argue that the policies have not been adequately communicated, and that some school administrators have supported the inclusion of trans athletes without fully understanding the implications. This has led to a broader discussion about the need for clear guidelines and protections for both students and athletes.
As the debate continues, these four athletes have become vocal advocates for their positions, representing a growing number of young people who feel that trans inclusion in sports has had a negative impact on their lives. Their stories have not only highlighted the personal and emotional toll of these policies but also sparked a broader conversation about the future of women’s sports and the role of government in shaping these discussions.