High School Athletes Protest Gender Policy at Cross-Country Meet

At a recent cross-country meet in Washington, several high school girls chose to make a stand by leaving the starting line in protest. This act of defiance occurred when a male athlete was permitted to join the girls’ varsity team midseason. Just days before, this athlete had been competing in Oregon’s boys’ junior varsity race.

Parents and students expressed their dissatisfaction with the decision. Holly Burns and her teammates walked away from the race, driven by a sense of unfairness. “We encouraged them to do what they believed was right and with the backing of their teammates, they decided to act,” explained Holly’s father, Kevin Burns.

The protest highlighted the emotions involved. Holly’s mother, Sarah Burns, emphasized the undue pressure on young athletes. “These are kids, not adults,” she said. “They should focus on racing, not confront complicated issues.”

The protest received mixed reactions. When parents showed support with signs, security intervened. One such parent, Joel Retzlaff, faced a ban from school grounds due to his demonstrations.

Nevertheless, there is considerable, albeit quiet, support. “People want to speak out but hesitate,” said Kevin Burns. At the meet, many parents privately thanked the Burns for their courage, expressing similar sentiments.

Kevin called for political involvement, noting broad bipartisan agreement. “This isn’t just a political issue; it impacts girls’ rights across the spectrum. Both sides can find common ground on this,” he stated.