The Minnesota State High School League's decision to allow transgendered students to play on the gendered team of their choice is discriminatory against Christians, says a longtime opponent of cross-gender sports.
Steve McConkey, president of 4 WINDS Christian Athletics, told Christian News Network that “in the past, Minnesota allowed girls to be on boys teams. Now, a boy can participate on the girls teams.”
The policy “is a way to minimize Christian beliefs,” said McConkey, and “if you oppose transgenders in sports, than you are labeled a bigot or hater.”
McConkey, who has publicly opposed the International Olympic Committee's decision to allow transgendered athletes to play an opposite-gender sport, also said that “physically, men are stronger than women. This will not end well.”
Earlier this month, the Minnesota State High School League overwhelmingly voted to make the change to accommodate transgendered students. The policy allows male students to use female restrooms, locker rooms, showers, and hotel rooms. The state's Conference of Catholic Bishops opposed the measure, as did other pro-family groups.
The issue of transgendered men in female sports briefly rose to national attention earlier this year, when mixed martial arts fighter Fallon Fox broke the eye socket of his female opponent. Fox had hidden his attempt to change his gender until it was discovered in March 2013.
