It was the first time a male competed in the girl’s state track and field tournament and it did not go well for the girls. Haines High School senior Nattaphon Wangyot won the 100 meter and the 200 meter to advance to the state tournament, where he is expected to win. Hutchinson runner, Emma Daniels, was not too happy about missing her chance to compete in the state tournament to a boy.
“I’m glad that this person is comfortable with who they are and they’re able to be happy in who they are, but I don’t think it’s competitively completely 100-percent fair.”
Peyton Young added:
“I don’t know what’s politically correct to say, but in my opinion your gender is what you’re born with.”
“It’s the DNA. Genetically a guy has more muscle mass than a girl, and if he’s racing against a girl, he may have an advantage.”
Wangyot also played on the school girl’s basketball and volleyball teams.
“For the purposes of gender identification for interscholastic activities, the district will consider the gender identity based on the student’s consistent declaration of gender identity, their actions, attitude, dress and mannerisms.”
Alaska Family Action president Jim Minnery made the point that for every male that plays girl’s sports, there is a girl left out in the cold:
“We are here today as a voice from the community to ensure that female athletes are not denied the playing opportunities and scholarships otherwise available to them and to make the playing field even again.”
“Allowing students to play on teams of the opposite sex disproportionately impacts female students, who will lose spots on a track, soccer and volleyball teams to male students who identify as female.”