They passed: Initiative 638 in Washington, followed by Proposition 134 in Colorado.
Both measures require boys and girls to compete in separate sports categories. To supporters, the results show that common sense can still win out over partisan politics.
Some will see the votes as a sign of where the rest of the country may be headed. If measures like these can pass in deeply blue states, proponents will say, they could pass almost anywhere.
I see another story in the results, though: voters pushing back against the people who have tried to intimidate those who speak up for women’s sports.
Consider what happened in July. Washington high school student Ahnaleigh Wilson went to a rally for Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham at Seattle’s Climate Pledge Arena. Wilson was holding a sign that read, “Thank You Sophie For Speaking Up For Girls!” After the game began, Seattle Storm co-owner Celeste Keaton allegedly confronted her and swore at her.
“You’re f—ing insane,” Keaton allegedly said. “I hope Jesus can forgive you.” Wilson was left in tears. And hers wasn’t the only such experience.
Frances Staudt, also from Washington, declined to play against a male athlete in a high school basketball game more than two years ago. She says she has faced harassment at Tumwater High ever since, including people telling her they hope she chokes, dies, and goes to hell.
Former high school softball player Kendall Kotzmacher described another disturbing encounter. At a Cunningham rally in Minnesota earlier this year, she says, a counterprotester told her she should have been aborted.
The hostility hasn’t been limited to students. Jennifer Sey, founder of XX-XY Athletics, shared video of herself and friends being called over to meet security at a Golden State Valkyries game last month. As they walked up the stairs, a woman reportedly gave Sey the finger and told her to “f—ing kill yourself.” That, it seems, was only a preview of what followed at a Portland Thorns game two Fridays ago.
About 20 XX-XY supporters unfurled a “Save Women’s Sports” banner. Thorns supporters yelled at them, and one woman was knocked over two rows of seats. Others poked women with flagpoles they had brought into the stadium. I was there reporting and saw some of it myself. While I filmed, someone knocked my phone from my hand and poured beer on me.
The people removed from the stadium weren’t the ones accused of assaulting others. Instead, security escorted out the peaceful Save Women’s Sports group. Seattle podcaster Brandi Kruse had her hand held behind her back as she was taken to the concourse.
Even a Lyft driver joined in. He kicked four people wearing XX-XY shirts out of his car after learning what they supported. The pressure has come from all directions.
But the people using intimidation didn’t get what they wanted. These votes show that people can take a position in support of female athletes without automatically backing down. Outrage campaigns may still target them, but voters weren’t persuaded by the warnings and attacks.
Opponents of Proposition 134 reportedly spent nearly 18 times as much as the “yes” campaign: $4.9 million compared with $270,000. They still came up short. In Washington, ads and newspaper endorsements warned that Initiative 638 could lead to “invasive genital exams.” Voters rejected that argument, too. Both measures passed in two of the country’s bluest states.
Less than a month ago, I attended a cross-country meet where a boy who had joined the girls’ team midway through the season was competing. I tried speaking with around 100 parents. Only two agreed to be quoted, and most wouldn’t even speak anonymously.
One father told me, “I don’t want my house burned down.”
People who advocate for women’s sports, including Riley Gaines, have faced years of hostility. Bullies have thrown plenty of punches on this issue. But after these two votes, they may find the public is less willing to be pushed around.
