Transgender Girl Wins State Track Championships in Connecticut

Terry Miller of Bloomfield High and Andraya Yearwood of Cromwell High recently finished first and second in the 55-meter dash in Connecticut’s state track championships, with Miller breaking the state record. Everyone is not cheering on their accomplishments, believing the two have an unfair advantage over the other competitors. Both Miller and Yearwood are transgender and transitioning to female.

Connecticut is one of seventeen states that allow athletes to compete based on their gender identity rather than their biological sex. In the case the Connecticut Association of Schools-Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference, they are following the state’s anti-discrimination policy. Their executive director, Glenn Lungarini, said, “This is about someone’s right to compete. I don’t think this is that different from other classes of people, who, in the not too distant past, were not allowed to compete. I think it’s going to take education and understanding to get to that point on this issue.”

Miller and Yearwood’s competitors don’t feel the same. One runner, Selina Soule, believes the pair have an unfair advantage. She said, “We all know the outcome of the race before it even starts; it’s demoralizing.” Then she added, “I fully support and am happy for these athletes for being true to themselves. They should have the right to express themselves in school, but…