Schools in Philadelphia will continue allowing transgender athletes to play in girls sports even after the state of Pennsylvania announced it would comply with President Donald Trump’s “No Men in Women’s Sports” executive order.
The School District of Philadelphia announced in a statement provided to Fox News Digital Tuesday it will continue following its previous policy that enables transgender inclusion.
“The School District of Philadelphia strives to ensure safety, equity and justice for all students regardless of gender identity or gender expression so that they can imagine and realize any future they desire. The District will continue to align its practices to support its LGBTQ+ students in accordance with Board Policy 252 for transgender and gender non-conforming students,” the statement read.
With Pennsylvania trying to comply with Trump’s order but facing resistance from Philadelphia, other battleground states are also divided on the issue.
The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) announced last week it updated its policies to only allow athletes “designated as females at birth” to compete in girls sports. Wisconsin previously enabled trans inclusion in girls sports dating back to 2013.
Meanwhile, Michigan has not complied with Trump’s executive order and continues allowing trans athletes to compete in girls sports, but a bill has been introduced in the state legislature that would prevent trans inclusion in girls sports.
Four states are under investigation by Trump’s Department of Education for refusing to comply with the order — California, Massachusetts, Maine and Minnesota.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi is warning those states to comply with federal antidiscrimination laws that require them to keep boys out of women’s sports or face legal action, Fox News Digital reported Tuesday.
“This Department of Justice will hold accountable states and state entities that violate federal law,” Bondi wrote. “Indeed, we have already begun to do so.”
Bondi was referring to the Justice Department’s move to sue Illinois and New York earlier in February for defying federal immigration laws.
“We also stand ready to sue states and state entities that defy federal antidiscrimination laws,” Bondi wrote.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Jackson Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital. He previously worked for ESPN and Business Insider. Jackson has covered the Super Bowl and NBA Finals, and has interviewed iconic figures Usain Bolt, Rob Gronkowski, Jerry Rice, Troy Aikman, Mike Trout, David Ortiz and Roger Clemens.
Leave a Reply