A Vermont Christian school, Mid Vermont Christian School, forfeited a high school girls’ basketball game in February 2023 because they believed that a transgender player on the opposing team jeopardized the fairness and safety of the game. Following this incident, the school was barred from participating in the state sports league by the Vermont Principals’ Association.
In response, the school and some students and parents filed a brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit in New York, claiming that the state violated the school’s First Amendment rights by expelling them from future games. The Alliance Defending Freedom, representing the school, argued that no religious school should be denied access to benefits due to their religious beliefs.
A federal judge denied a request for the school to be readmitted to the state sports association, stating that the state applies its athletic policy uniformly and does not target religious organizations. The judge emphasized that the goal of high school sports is participation, and the school would need to abide by association policies and laws to be readmitted.
The case revolves around the inclusion of transgender students in sports and highlights the ongoing debate around fairness, inclusivity, and religious beliefs in school sports. The Vermont Agency of Education declined to comment on the pending litigation.
Source
Photo credit www.boston.com
