In a controversial decision, the Mid Vermont Christian School has been banned from participating in future tournaments after forfeiting a game in February 2023 over a transgender player. This was announced by the Vermont Principals’ Association on Monday.
According to sources, the Mid Vermont Christian School was scheduled to play against another school in a basketball tournament when they learned that one of the opposing team’s players was a transgender female. The Mid Vermont Christian School reportedly refused to play against the transgender player, citing religious beliefs and concerns over “protecting the sanctity of women’s sports.”
As a result of their refusal to play, the Mid Vermont Christian School forfeited the game, which led to their disqualification from the tournament. In response, the tournament organizers have now banned the school from participating in any future tournaments.
The Christian girls’ school had forfeited the game on February 21, with the head of the school, Vicky Fogg, stating at the time that competing against “a biological male jeopardizes the fairness of the game and the safety of our players.” She added, “Allowing biological males to participate in women’s sports sets a bad precedent for the future of women’s sports in general.”
Vermont Principals’ Association executives in a statement released said; “The VPA again reiterates its ongoing support of transgender student-athletes as not only a part of building an inclusive community for each student to grow and thrive, but also as a clear expectation by Vermont state law(s) in the Agency of Education Best Practices, and in VPA Policy regarding transgender student athletes,”.
The decision has been met with both support and backlash from different communities. Some have commended the tournament organizers for taking a strong stance against discrimination and standing up for the rights of transgender individuals. Others, however, have criticized the decision, arguing that the school should have the right to uphold their religious beliefs and values.
All women should refuse to compete in any sport that allows a man who thinks he is now a woman to compete!
This is degrading to women and is totally destroying woman’s sports in all levels !
At least one school Mid Vermont Christian School has stood up for our daughters !— James Dillingham (@SDillingh1) March 14, 2023
💥Remember the Mid Vermont Christian School GIRL's team that forfeited a game instead of playing a team with a MALE on it?!💥
The school has been BANNED FROM ALL SPORTS & ACTIVITIES WITH OTHER VT SCHOOLS by the VPA! The Vermont Principals Association HAS NO PRINCIPLES AT ALL!🤬 https://t.co/EZF1sVRHzI— M💥♥️🇺🇸 (@AWAKEINVT) March 13, 2023
Proud of this decision by the VPA. We know the Mid Vermont Christian School’s bigoted perspectives, displayed by their adults, do not reflect the values of Hartford or Windsor County. #vtpoli #TransRightsAreHumanRights https://t.co/1aknEGfPdY
— State Senator Becca White (@BeccaWhiteVT) March 15, 2023
The issue of transgender athletes in sports has been a contentious one in recent years, with many arguing that transgender athletes have an unfair advantage over their cisgender counterparts.
