CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Gov. Patrick Morrisey says girls in Harrison County should not be disciplined by their track coaches if they decide not to compete against a biological boy in a track meet.
Morrisey put out a release saying the girls should be applauded for taking a stand.
“I am hearing that high school track coaches in West Virginia are threatening to force girl track and field athletes to compete against a boy or face suspension – which could remove their opportunity to participate in the state championships. This cannot stand,” Morrisey said Tuesday evening.
He explained during an appearance Wednesday on MetroNews Midday.
“Whether they participate or not, they shouldn’t be punished for calling out their opposition to what’s happening in north central West Virginia,” Morrisey said.
The state has a law that says biological boys can’t compete with girls in sports. The law is currently on hold under an injunction. U.S. District Judge Joseph Goodwin ruled the state couldn’t enforce the law against transgender student, Harrison County high schooler, Becky Pepper-Jackson, while the case was under his previous injunction.. He said that would be a violation of Title IX.
Morrisey said Wednesday he’s confident the U.S. Supreme Court will rule in a similar case from Tennessee in the next four to six weeks and after that ruling West Virginia’s law can take effect. Morrisey said as the waiting continues it’s put biological girls on track teams in a tough spot in Harrison County.
“Once we hear back, I’m very hopeful that West Virginia’s law prohibiting boys from playing sports with women is something we’re never going to have to worry about. It’s just that we’re in a tough spot right now with the injunction,” Morrisey said.
Morrisey said he’s heard from Harrison County families.
“There’s been a lot of frustration expressed,” Morrrisey said.
His Tuesday night statement said if the girls decide not to compete against Pepper-Jackson they shouldn’t be disciplined by their coaches.
“I’m calling on all coaches involved to let these brave athletes take a stand for what is right without unfair punishment,” Morrisey said. “As we all work toward removing the wrongly-decided injunction in upcoming months, I ask for all tournament officials to keep a full set of results so that true winners of each event may be recognized when the Supreme Court rules in our favor.”
The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to rule soon on the State of Tennessee v. Cardona case focused on that state’s Title IX regulations, specifically focusing on gender-affirming care for transgender youth.
The Supreme Court declined to take up the West Virginia case for review.