In 2023, the girls basketball team at Mid Vermont Christian School forfeited a state playoff game against Long Trail because the latter had a male player who identified as a girl, leading to the school being banned from all Vermont Principals Association tournaments in all sports. Two years later, the school remains banned and is currently suing the VPA for violating its First Amendment rights.
Coach Chris Goodwin and Alliance Defending Freedom Senior Counsel Ryan Tucker spoke with OutKick about the lawsuit. Goodwin explained that the school had to take legal action because they were being punished for their religious beliefs. Tucker emphasized that the school’s exclusion was a clear violation of religious freedom.
Goodwin highlighted safety, fairness, and morality concerns in allowing male athletes to compete against females, pointing out a previous incident where a male athlete injured a female player. He also mentioned a case in Massachusetts where a male player injured three female players in one game. Goodwin believed the VPA aimed to make an example out of his school to convey their stance on allowing males to compete in girls’ sports.
Ultimately, Goodwin emphasized that the lawsuit goes beyond just getting the school back into competitions, but is about standing up for what is right against the state’s mandate to compete against male athletes. Despite the legal battle, the biggest losers are the female athletes who have had opportunities taken away from them. Goodwin expressed disappointment in the state’s actions and the impact on the team, but remains determined to fight for their rights.
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