Nebraska bishops weigh in on transgender participation in high school sports

January 07, 2016

The Nebraska School Activities Association will soon vote on transgender participation in high school sports—prompting a statement from the state’s bishops.

The vote “will determine whether, and if so under what conditions, a biological male student can participate as a female in a girls’ sport, and a biological female student can participate as a male in a boys’ sport,” the bishops noted. “Whichever alternative is chosen also will establish the legal basis for any litigation in Nebraska on important, related issues such as locker room and restroom use, religious liberty, and individual freedom of conscience.”

“We strongly urge all NSAA member schools to vote in favor of the ‘sex on the certificate at birth’ bylaw amendment proposal,” the bishops continued. They explained:

Any person who experiences gender dysphoria is entitled to the respect and dignity that is the right of every human person, as well as genuine concern and the support needed for personal development and well-being. Such support, however, must be provided with due consideration to fairness and the safety, privacy, and rights of all students ... It would be unjust to allow a harmful and deceptive gender ideology to shape either what is taught or how activities are conducted in our schools. This would certainly have a negative impact on students’ and society’s attitudes towards the fundamental nature of the human person and the family.

 

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Further information:

• Nebraska Bishops’ Statement on the Nebraska School Activities Association’s Policy on Transgender Student Participation (Nebraska Catholic Conference)