‘There was a man in my locker room’: Tumwater athlete vows to keep fighting for girls sports

Tumwater High School senior Frances Staudt was 15 when she sat out her final sophomore basketball game in February 2024 rather than compete against a team with a transgender player.

She was investigated by the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association and her school district for harassment and bullying after telling the player, “You’re a man,” on her way out.

Staudt joined “The John Curley Show” on KIRO Newsradio and told KIRO host John Curley she was caught off guard by what she found before the game.

“I was 15 years old, last game, and there was an 18-year-old man in my locker room, as well as competing against my girls basketball team,” Staudt said. “I chose to sit out and not compete because that is completely unfair.”

Staudt also responded to The Seattle Times editorial board, which recommended a no vote on Initiative 638. The ballot measure would require girls in school sports to verify their biological sex. The editorial opened by noting that only 10 to 12 transgender athletes are affected statewide out of roughly 80,000.

“That one athlete affected my whole team,” Staudt said. “He affected my whole locker room. He affected a roster spot on their team. One athlete is one too many. No man or boy should be able to compete against a girls team.”

KIRO host John Curley noted The Seattle Times was making a frequency argument, noting not enough people are affected to justify the measure. Staudt rejected it.

“If it’s such a small percentage, then why are so many girls starting to speak up and be uncomfortable and say that it’s affected them?” Staudt said. “Clearly, it’s affecting more than just a small percentage.”

Staudt pushes back on genital exam claims and school response

The Seattle Times editorial also raised concerns that I-638 could require genital examinations for female athletes. Staudt, a three-sport varsity athlete, said that claim does not match her experience.

“I’ve been a varsity athlete in three sports in my high school career so far, and I’ve never had to have an invasive genital exam just to prove that I’m a girl,” Staudt said. “My teammates have never had to. My siblings, my sisters, anyone. No one that I know has had to. That’s lies that they are spreading to try and scare people.”

Staudt said she was threatened with “progressive consequences” by her school after the 2024 incident and that her own guidance counselor sent a letter criticizing her.

“That’s supposed to be a place that you can go to and feel safe and talk to them about anything, but when I disagreed with her, she had to come out with a whole letter against me,” Staudt said.

Curley asked what happens if voters reject I-638 in November.

“I’ll keep fighting,” Staudt said. “I’ll keep fighting so that next time, girls can be protected. This isn’t over until every girl can go into their locker room or bathroom or go into their sport and know that they’re going to be safe and competing against other girls.”

She also addressed adults who have attacked her online.

“For the people and adults out there who are saying pretty vile things to me as a 17-year-old, take a look in the mirror,” Staudt said. “If anyone ever wants to have a conversation with me about this face to face, I’ll make time any place, anywhere, with whoever. I challenge you.”

Watch the full discussion in the video above.

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