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Vicky Fogg, the head dean of Mid Vermont Christian School forfeited a Division IV playoff basketball game against Long Trail High School on Feb. 21st. because she refused to allow her players to engage in competition with a team who had a trans player.
Fogg said, “We withdrew from the tournament because we believe playing against an opponent with a biological male jeopardizes the fairness of the game and the safety of our players."
On Monday, the Vermont Principals’ Association, which governs high school athletics in the state, announced in a statement that it had ruled that the private religious school had violated its policies on “commitment to racial, gender-fair, and disability awareness” and on “gender identity.” Fogg's team was thus banned from future games.
In addition to the surprised victory, the Long Trail team advanced to round two of the tournament due to the forfeit. CNN, ABC, NBC, and all major publications have reached out but have denied making a statement towards the media. Though the other school isn’t as religious and frugal, The Vermont Principal Administration is standing for student inclusion.
Outright Vermont, The Williams Institute, and the GOP have spoken out about this specific event deeming it unfortunate to the players and parents directly affected by the game exemption. No rematch has been rescheduled on the school’s roster, however Vermont is not in agreeance with the trans youth athletic ban and is planning to appeal.
In a statement to The Post, Mid Vermont Christian School Head of School Vicky Fogg said the school was “disappointed” with the ruling.
“Cancelling our membership is not a solution and does nothing to deal with the very real issue of safety and fairness facing women’s sports in our beloved state,” Fogg wrote.
“We urge the VPA to reconsider its policies, and balance the rights of every athlete in the state.”
“Allowing biological males to participate in women’s sports sets a bad precedent for the future of women’s sports in general,” she told the local outlet.
Amanda Rodhenburg eventually reached out as assistant director to Vermont and said,
“What we’re seeing in Vermont and around the country is a heightened and coordinated effort to stop trans youth from existing and thriving as people”.
“For a trans youth to be the explicit focus of targeted hate it is unconscionable, and it can wreak extreme havoc on their life. So we are concerned for them and their family,” said Dana Kaplan, Executive Director of Outright Vermont, a nonprofit serving Vermont's LGBTQ+ youth.
Kaplan continued, “This recent issue of forfeiting a game because you disagree with someone’s right to exist is a clear example of what is happening in Vermont and around the country."
As followed Long Trail is to resume the rest of their Fall endeavors within Hartford County, not benching anyone despite sexual orientation. Other private schools however have been warned if their ego cannot let them dribble a ball alongside a court with someone that is different from them, they will be lead down the same route as Mid Christian.
So Gayes, how is your sportsmanship?