Until March 2025, the Rhode Island Interscholastic League held a position on student athlete participation that stated “All students should have the opportunity to participate in the RIIL activities in a manner that is consistent with their gender identity, irrespective of the gender listed on the student’s records.”  

On Friday, March 7, 2025, they switched their position to the following:

"The RIIL recognizes the value of participation in interscholastic sports for all member-school student athletes. Member schools are responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable state and federal law when determining gender-based eligibility for participation.  Per Article 2, Section 3B, “proof of and maintenance of eligibility is the exclusive and continuing obligation of the member Principal.”

While previously, the RIIL stood up in defense of transgender youth inclusion, this new policy leaves it up to RI principals and athletic directors to make decisions about transgender students’ participation in sports for their respective schools and districts.  This decision will lead to the exclusion of transgender youth in a league where they previously felt protected.

In a time when trans and gender non-conforming people are being demonized and treated as political scapegoats, it is important to stand up for all youth, regardless of gender identity.  This is necessary in our schools and on our playing fields.  The signers of this petition demand that the Rhode Island Interscholastic League restore its former policy which honored the dignity, worth, and belonging of all its student athletes.