Advocacy groups, district debate transgender athletes

Nattaphon Wangyotl in the women’s 3A 200 meter race.(Ben Gauthier / KTUU)

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — The Haines School District and a nonprofit Christian advocacy group are at odds over a transgender competitor at the state track meet in Anchorage.

KTUU-TV reports (http://bit.ly/1UcY7J0) that a transgender girl represented Haines High School in the women's 3A 200 meter race in Anchorage on Saturday, causing some to question whether it's fair to allow a student who was born male to compete against biological females.

Last month, the Alaska School Activities Association voted to accept schools' individual policies when it comes to sports participation.

Members of the nonprofit Alaska Family Action say allowing the transgender student to compete violates federal anti-discrimination laws under Title IX.

Haines Superintendent Rich Carlson says the district made sure the student was able to legally participate in women's sports.

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The Gayly - 5/29/2016 @ 11:14 a.m. CDT