Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are those of the author alone and may not reflect the editorial position of ClarkCountyToday.com
(As of Wednesday, November 4, 2026 at 5:13:43 p.m.)
Margaret Tweet
Initiave I-638 is leading with 60.12% YES votes in Clark County in early returns. Statewide, the measure is also ahead . Participation in girls’ school sports has accelerated under federal Title 9 requirements passed in 1972. Female athletes from Washington, Georgia, Colorado, California, and former U.S. national champion gymnast Jennifer Sey gathered in Vancouver to share perspectives on competitions and privacy concerns in locker rooms.
In Camas, a biological male cross country runner ran on the JV Boys XC team for two seasons, then ran on the boys’ team for the Sept 5, 2026 Ultimook Race, finishing 76th. The runner then switched to the girls’ varsity team and has placed higher ever since.
Top runners in varsity girls 5000 meter run
Sept 15 Lily Collett Camas 1st, Josie Rehrer Camas 2nd, Maddy McCollum Skyview 3rd Sept 29 (biological male) Camas 1st, Natalie Estrada Camas 2nd, Frances Amerding Union 3rd Oct. 13 Sophia Rogers Battle Ground 1st, (biological male) Camas 2nd, Lily Collett Camas 3rd Oct. 21 District: Sophia Rogers Battle Ground 1st, (biological male) Camas 2nd, Charlie Garrett Skyview 3rd Oct. 31 Regional Sophia Rogers Battle Ground 4th, (biological male) Camas 7th, Charlie Garrett Skyview 8th Charlie says, “It troubles me that spots are being taken away from me at bigger meets like districts, regionals and state. Athlete’s spots are being taken away and scholarships are being taken away.’’
Analeigh and Frances share about I-638, “Biological men are competing in girls’ sports in Washington state, and it’s destroying fairness in girls’ sports. As [two] female athletes who have been directly impacted by boys competing in girls’ sports, we are standing up for all 110,000 girls playing sports in Washington state middle and high schools.”
Top times in 4A Districts 3&4 cross country varsity boys vs. girls including invitational meets 5,000 Meters for Boys #1 time -14.54.7 minutes by Quenton Lanese, Olympia 5,000 Meters for Girls #1 time -18.03.3 minutes by Leah Hennen, Olympia and Charlotte White, Curtis Sophia Rogers, Battle Ground: 3rd best time: 18:17.8 at Oct. 21 District Meet when she placed First.
An advocacy group reports that boys increasingly claim Top-3 medals and honors in events for female athletes. They have identified over 2,538 Top 3 Finishes by males in girls’ K-12 sports, and it’s not a complete list.
Initiative 638 protects fairness in girls’ sports by prohibiting biological males from competing in female athletics. This measure would uphold title 9 by requiring the enforcement of policies prohibiting students it defines as “biologically male” from competing with or against female students in certain interschool athletic activities that are intended for female students only. No one is banned from K-12 sports. No invasive exams are required.
Vancouver City Councilors Diana Perez and Kim Harless voted to Oppose I-638 on Oct 5, 2026. Diana Perez is leading for State Rep.-17th Legislative District. Kim Harless is leading for State Rep.-49th District against Sarah Mittelman who wrote in support of I-638.
At a recent debate, on biological males in girls’ sports, US Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez said, “This is very, very rare. This is not a common issue.” She also said, “Fundamentally, I agree it’s not fair for boys to compete in girls’ sports.” However, Marie Perez voted against H.R.734 - the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2023.
John Braun supports I-638, and said, “I raised three daughters who were actively involved in athletics in high school and in college…This is about fairness and safety, about biology. We have Title IX for a reason. For decades we fought for a fair playing field for women.”
Margaret Tweet
Camas
Comments
Loading comments…