This petition begins with a personal story. A friend, teacher, and respected coach, who has worked tirelessly to uplift women's sports in Thompson School District for 6 years, lost her coaching position because of a stance she took rooted in her belief: preserving the fairness in women's sports. She was uncomfortable allowing a transgender female student (whom had gone through male puberty) to potentially compete on the girls' Varsity team, believing it would compromise the equilibrium of the competition. She intended no harm or opposition to transgender rights, but wished to maintain a level playing field. She was ultimately fired because she simply raised concern over current policy, muddled by the allegations of misuse of this student’s name/pronouns. 

We need to bring attention to this sensitive issue that impacts not only the coaches but also the athletes involved. A study by the British Journal of Sports Medicine suggests that transgender women retain athletic advantage, even after a year of hormone therapy. It highlights potential fairness issues in competitive sports. While it's utterly important to advocate for the rights and inclusion of all identities, we must not overlook the fundamental fairness in the competition.

This is not a question of rights; this is a question of balance. We need to find solutions that protect everyone involved, ensuring transgender athletes can participate without giving them an unfair advantage. We should let our voices be heard and potentially initiate a change in policy that can better comprehend the complexities of these circumstances. 

Thompson School District Community, let's support all our athletes and our coaches, and maintain fairness in our sporting contests. 

Please sign the petition to help safeguard the equality in women's sports. We will present this petition to the TSD Board members at the meeting on August 21st, 2024. 

Please also review the Colorado State Ballot Initiative 160 before voting November 5th, 2024!