OSAA defends gender policy after letter from women lawmakers, including Rep. Levy

NORTHEAST OREGON — The Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA) is defending its policies on gender in high school athletics.

This comes after a letter, written by female Republican state legislators, including Rep. Bobby Levy (R-Echo), was sent to the OSAA encouraging the organization to change its policy when it comes to allowing transgender student-athletes to compete. The letter was sent after a transgender female athlete recently participated in girls events at a track and field meet in Sherwood. 

Current OSAA allows for a student to compete in athletics under the gender in which the student identifies with.

OSAA executive director Peter Weber responded to lawmakers, saying the agency’s policies are in line with the state legislature and Oregon Department of Education policies to prohibit discrimination — including on the basis of gender identity.

Elkhorn Media Group has reached out to Rep. Levy for comment on the OSAA’s response.

The text of the full letter from Peter Weber is below:

April 18, 2024 

Dear Oregon Legislators, 

Thank you for your letter dated April 16, 2024. 

The Oregon School Activities Association is a private, non-profit membership association made up of  public and private high schools across Oregon. We are a non-partisan organization, and our mission  is to provide opportunities for tens of thousands of Oregon students to annually participate in  interscholastic athletics and activities, from football and track, to band and choir, to speech and  debate, to cheer and dance. 

The OSAA, under the guidance of our member schools, creates and implements policies that comply  with federal and state laws, including laws that are intended to keep our students safe and free  from discrimination. Over the years, legislative directives from Oregon legislators have prompted  the OSAA to adopt rules and policies that incorporate those directives. Those range from laws  designed to protect athletes from concussions, to laws that require procedures for addressing  harassment and intimidation at interscholastic contests. 

Oregon law has long prohibited discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation (ORS Chapter  659A). In 2019, the Oregon Department of Education amended its rules to provide that “sexual  orientation” was defined as including “gender identity.” OAR 581-021-0045(1)(c). The Oregon  Legislature likewise modified the definition of “sexual orientation” to include “gender identity.” 

In response, just over five years ago, the OSAA worked with the Oregon Department of Education to  create a policy that was consistent with these legal protections given to students related to their  gender identity, to help our member schools be in compliance with all legal requirements.  

As the Executive Director of OSAA, I work with our member schools and legal counsel to establish rules, policies, and guidelines that follow the legislative directives of the Oregon Legislature. With  regard to the track meet described in your letter, we believe that our policy and our member  schools are in compliance with all applicable laws. 

Best regards, 

Peter Weber 

Executive Director

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Elkhorn Media Group