Rantz: Tacoma Public Schools will ignore trans athlete ban and safety concern for girls

Tacoma Public Schools (TPS) Superintendent Joshua Garcia informed district families that he will ignore the executive order banning transgender girls from competing against biological girls in sports competitions. Some parents are livid.

Garcia sent an email to parents clarifying TPS policy in light of President Donald Trump’s executive order. While he acknowledged that the executive order “calls for withholding federal funds from school districts that do not comply,” Garcia said TPS will not comply.

“The order directly contradicts Washington State law, including the Washington Law Against Discrimination, and laws prohibiting discrimination in public schools. Our state law prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender identity. We will continue to follow Washington state law,” Garcia said in the email forwarded to “The Jason Rantz Show” on KTTH by several parents.

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Tacoma Public Schools is putting girls last

Garcia’s decision, which has been echoed by Washington State Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal, puts federal funding at risk, though this issue will likely be decided by the courts. But there was one glaring and bizarre statement included in the email that suggests Garcia is using trans athletes in Tacoma as props to signal his left-wing bonafides.

“With high school spring sports tryouts beginning March 3, we want to reassure families and students that we remain committed to ensuring EVERY student feels safe, supported, and cared for in our schools. We encourage students to participate in their sport of choice,” he said.

Neither Garcia nor Tacoma Public Schools are committed to ensuring the safety of every student. If they were, they wouldn’t allow for biological boys to compete against biological girls.

It’s unsafe and unfair

On average, biological boys are stronger than biological girls, which gives them an inherent advantage in competitions. This is neither controversial nor sexist. It’s also not some new scientific revelation, but firmly solid fact.

How can Garcia claim to care about student safety when a physically stronger biological male athlete is spiking volleyballs in the faces of young girls? How can he claim a commitment to keeping “every student feels safe,” when female students might not feel safe undressing in locker rooms or sharing bathrooms with biological boys?

Garcia isn’t trying to make every student safe. He hopes to placate a small group of trans athletes who deserve respect and reasonable accommodations, but not a complete and total shift in how we operate sports competitions.

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