The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) has declared it will not comply with new Title IX rules under President Donald Trump’s administration that would prohibit biological males from competing in female sports. Citing state inclusion laws, WIAA officials claim that enforcing the federal mandate would violate current Washington state statutes.
Two amendments under consideration—ML/HS #7 and ML/HS #8—would align WIAA policy with the administration’s proposed guidelines. These amendments aim to separate athletic competition by biological sex while creating a separate category for transgender athletes. However, WIAA has already made clear its opposition, signaling the measures will be blocked even if passed.
WIAA Communications Director Sean Bessette issued a statement asserting that legal counsel from multiple state offices—including the Attorney General’s office and the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction—advised that adopting these changes would breach Washington’s inclusion laws.
“The WIAA remains committed to following state law, and those amendments focused on gender-identity participation would not be implemented on August 1 if they were to pass under current state law,” Bessette stated. He added that only a change in state law would compel the WIAA to adjust its rules in line with federal directives.
The developments in Washington illustrate the growing divide between state-level progressive policies and federally backed efforts to restore fairness in girls’ sports. Under President Trump, Title IX enforcement is being redirected to protect the integrity of women’s athletics by ensuring competition is based on biological sex.
The resistance in Washington mirrors similar pushback from progressive states that prioritize so-called gender inclusion over competitive fairness. As other states move to protect girls’ sports, Washington stands firm in allowing males who identify as female to compete against biological girls—despite rising concerns about safety, fairness, and equal opportunity for female athletes.
This conflict may soon trigger legal battles between state governments and the Department of Education as Trump’s administration reasserts federal standards on sex-based discrimination in education and athletics.
