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Controversy takes off as two transgender track athletes take first and second at states

A high school track meet is igniting a national debate over rules for transgender athletes.
Credit: Delpixart
Legs with gender symbol on asphalt, gender concept

A high school track meet is igniting a national debate over rules for transgender athletes.

It all started with a story out of Connecticut. Two transgender female sprinters came in first and second place in their state championship.

That’s not sitting well with some parents. They started a petition to change the rule that allows athletes to compete under the gender they identify with.

On Twitter, Aaron Sandoval said, "Obviously this is ridiculous. 3rd and 4th really are 1st and 2nd."

And, Barbara Baker said, "This is nonsense."

High school sports associations across the nation have been addressing the issue. In Florida, the FHSAA allows students to compete with the gender they identify as long as they provide sufficient proof of their "identification and expression."

“If you identify as female, you should be able to participate in female sports and so as long as there's not some drastic difference in, you know, hormone levels,” said Luca Wehle, the Trans Care Coordinator for Metro Wellness.

“Or, they are not taking testosterone or don't have abnormal levels of testosterone in their bodies still. Then really there should be no issue.”

In Connecticut, the athletic association told the media they are sticking to their policy because it falls in line with state law.

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