Vermont Schools Bans Volleyball Team From Their Locker Room, Due To Transgender Player Issue

(10-3-22) Members of the Randolph Union (Vt) High School girls volleyball team were banned by their school officials from using the locker room pending an investigation after some members objected to a biological male changing with them.

One of the female team members (Blake Allen) told WCAX-TV that the dispute began when the trans student made an inappropriate comment as the volleyball team was changing in the locker room, triggering an incident between students.

Allen said in the interview- (watch the interview)

“They want all the girls who feel uncomfortable to get changed in a single-stall bathroom, which would take over 30 minutes. Where, if one person got changed separately, it would take a minute, like no extra time.”

In the email to parents, school officials say they are conducting an investigation into allegations the girls on the volleyball team harassed the transgender student.

Randolph Union Co-Principal Lisa Floyd said in an email that student safety was the district’s top priority and that when policies are violated, disciplinary action consistent with the law will be taken.

Randolph Union’s web site has been shut down due to being hacked after the incident.

Vermont Agency of Education policy states, in part, that

Sports and Physical Education
Transgender and gender nonconforming students are to be provided the same opportunities to participate in physical education as are all other students. Generally, students should be permitted to participate in physical education and sports in accordance with the student’s gender identity. Participation in competitive athletic activities and sports will be resolved on a case-by-case basis.

Activities/Athletics Policies: Article 1 Section 2.
Restroom and Locker Room Accessibility
The use of restrooms and locker rooms by transgender students requires schools to consider numerous factors, including, but not limited to: the transgender student’s preference; protecting student privacy; maximizing social integration of the transgender student; minimizing stigmatization of the student; ensuring equal opportunity to participate; the student’s age; and protecting the safety of the students involved.

A transgender student should not be required to use a locker room or restroom that conflicts with the student’s gender identity.

Schools may consider including gender neutral restrooms into the design of new construction and/or building renovation.