(Illinois) IHSA upholds policy on transgender athletes...

[Jessica_Rose]

IHSA upholds policy on transgender athletes, seeks clarity on state conflict with Trump order

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/ihsa-upholds-policy-on-transgender-athletes-seeks-clarity-on-state-conflict-with-trump-order/ar-AA1D8xzK?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=d96d8da31963451ecf924cf14d409b21&ei=107

Story by BJ Lutz (17 April 2025)

CHICAGO (WGN) — The Illinois High School Association this week said it would keep in place its policy to allow transgender athletes to compete in high school sports competitions despite an executive order from President Donald Trump because the order may conflict with state law.

In a Tuesday letter, the IHSA's board president and executive director said the Illinois Human Rights Act "requires that transgender athletes be permitted to participate in events and programs aligning with the gender with which they identify."

"Compliance with the Executive Order could place the IHSA out of compliance with the Illinois Human Rights Act and vice versa," IHSA Board President Dan Tulley and Executive Director Craig Anderson wrote in response to a March letter from 40 Republican lawmakers demanding to know how the IHSA was going to "amend policy to comply with federal directives."

The Illinois Human Rights Act took effect in 2006 and expressly prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation, which it defines as "actual or perceived heterosexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality, or gender-related identity, whether or not traditionally associated with the person's designated sex at birth."

The IHSA clarified that its transgender policy only applied to state series competition with which it sponsors. Member schools determine the participation of transgender students during the regular season.