Badger Club explores trans student participation in school sports

Few topics in education and athletics today stir as much debate as the participation of transgender athletes in school sports. Across the country, policymakers, educators, parents, and students are grappling with questions of fairness, inclusion, and identity.

In keeping with our mission to foster civil and informed dialogue, the Columbia Basin Badger Club will host a public forum titled “Transgender Athlete Participation in School Sports.”

We will feature two distinguished presenters offering perspectives on this complex and timely issue: Aidan Key, a nationally recognized educator and advocate on gender diversity, and David VanderYacht, a Washington school administrator with first-hand experience on the issue.

The hourlong online Zoom will be on Thursday, Nov. 20 at noon.

There will be a Q&A session, and it will be followed by a half-hour Table Talk session open to those who attend the program

Our goal is to provide space for genuine conversation — where participants can learn and think critically about important issues shaping our community.

The Broader Context

Participation of transgender students in athletics has moved from locker rooms and gymnasiums into legislative chambers, political campaigns, and courtrooms.

Some argue that transgender girls and women competing in school sports raises concerns about fairness and competitive balance. Others contend that excluding transgender youth denies them the opportunity to belong, to learn teamwork, and to benefit from the confidence that school sports can build.

For school administrators and coaches, the challenge is real. They must navigate state laws, athletic association rules, and a wide spectrum of community values — all while ensuring the safety, dignity and well-being of every student.

The Speakers

Aidan Key is the founder of Gender Diversity, a Seattle-based organization that provides education and policy guidance to schools, businesses, and government agencies. His work helps communities understand gender diversity and create inclusive environments that respect all students.

Key has been featured in The Washington Post, TIME, and on NPR. His experience spans more than two decades helping families and educators address questions that arise when students express gender identities that may differ from expectations.

David VanderYacht is the superintendent of the Lynden School District, who offers a perspective grounded in day-to-day school administration.

With a background in athletics, student services, and policy development, VanderYacht has dealt with the responsibilities of ensuring fairness and consistency while honoring the needs of individual students. He brings the perspective of a practitioner who understands both the aspirations and pressures that shape decisions in our schools.

Why This Discussion Matters

At its heart, this issue is not only about who plays on which team. It is about how communities approach change and difference — with curiosity or with fear, with empathy or with division. This conversation will delve into the complex balancing of biology, human dignity, civil rights, and fairness.

The nonpartisan Columbia Basin Badger Club believes democracy works best when people of goodwill engage one another across differences. Our programs provide a forum for exactly that purpose — places where facts can be examined, assumptions can be tested, and ideas can be shared respectfully.

Join the Conversation

Whether you come with strong opinions or open questions, you’ll find a space where listening is valued as much as speaking.

You may not leave with every answer — but you will leave better informed, and perhaps better equipped to engage others in your circle with thoughtfulness and respect.

There is no charge for Badger Club members. Nonmembers will pay $10. For program details and registration, visit www.columbiabasinbadgers.com.

John McCoy is a retired Pacific Northwest National Laboratory IT program manager and a Badger Club board member.