High school students throughout the state of New York have organized a protest later this month against transgender athletes in girls’ sports.
The Coalition to Protect Kids has organized a walkout, dubbed “Walk Off for Fairness Day,” on Oct. 24 that has received the support of conservative leaders.
“It’s hard to believe we’re even having the conversation that girls sports would be for anyone other than girls,” Conservative Party chairman Gerry Kassar said via the New York Post. “We fully support ‘Walk Off for Fairness Day’ in New York, reminding young people that there is safety in numbers. Girls Sports must remain Girls Sports, and there should be nothing controversial in that statement.”
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Lee University student athlete Macy Petty speaks during an event celebrating the House of Representatives passing The Protection Of Women And Girls In Sports Act outside the U.S. Capitol on April 20, 2023 in Washington, D.C. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
“Girls are being systematically canceled in this state, and ‘Walk Off for Fairness Day’ will give them a safe opportunity to make their voices heard,” said Coalition to Protect Kids-NY spokeswoman Ayesha Kreutz. “So many of these young women are afraid of speaking out, so they’re forced to watch as 50 years of female athletic progress gets washed away by destructive ideologues. Girls are not second-class citizens, so why are they being treated that way?”
“It’s not right for boys to compete against girls in sports. It’s a huge disadvantage for girls,” said Hannah Pompeo, a 16-year soccer player at Eden High School near Buffalo, who is participating in the “Walk Off for Fairness Day.”
University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas, left, and Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines react after finishing tied for 5th in the 200 Freestyle finals at the NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships on March 18th, 2022 at the McAuley Aquatic Center in Atlanta. (Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
“I don’t think it’s right for men to be in our safe spaces. We worked hard for places on our teams,” added Millie McCormack, a dancer at Somers High School. “Boys have physical advantages we don’t have.”
The protest will occur roughly two weeks before Election Day, when New Yorkers will be able to vote on extra protections in the state’s constitution.
Proposition 1, the “Equal Rights Amendment,” seeks to not discriminate based on “race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, creed, religion, or sex, including sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes, reproductive healthcare and autonomy.” While athletics is not strictly cited, those against the proposition say the writing is on the wall.
Nassau County lawmakers in June voted to pass a bill that would prohibit transgender athletes from competing in girls’ and women’s sports at county-run facilities.
The measure, which covers more than 100 sites just outside New York City, requires any teams, leagues or organizations that seek a permit from the county’s parks and recreation department to “expressly designate” whether they are for male, female or coed athletes.
Demonstrators cheer during the speaking program at the “Our Bodies, Our Sports” rally for the 50th anniversary of Title IX at Freedom Plaza on June 23, 2022 in Washington, D.C. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
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Any female teams or leagues will be denied permits if they allow transgender athletes to participate.
Fox News’ Ryan Gaydos contributed to this report.
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