The arguments over transgender athletes and whether or not they should be allowed to compete against athletes of their chosen sex have become a flashpoint in the culture war as we head into the 2024 election cycle.
Republicans and local governments all over America are rushing to ban transgender athletes from competing in various ways, and the rhetoric has made life much harder for a population of people who are already dealing with a huge amount of scrutiny and unwanted attention.
But has anyone stopped to actually check and see whether or not there are even any transgender athletes competing in some of these states?
16 WAPT News in Mississippi wanted to find out how many transgender athletes were competing in state high schools.
Since this is a hot-button issue on the campaign trail, 16 WAPT News wanted to find out how big an issue it is in everyday life in the Magnolia State. Emails were sent to all of the superintendents of Mississippi public school districts, to the Mississippi High School Activities Association, the Mississippi Community College Board and the Institutions of Higher Learning asking, “Are there any transgender athletes in public schools and universities in this state?”
After receiving responses from everyone, the answer was a resounding “No.”
“As far as we know, at this time, we have not been asked about the participation of transgender athletes in our state,” MHSAA Executive Director Rickey Neaves told them.
Given how hard Republicans in Mississippi are working against transgender people and transgender athletes, it makes you wonder whether or not concerns for fairness in athletic competition are their true priority here.
[WAPT]
