Doctors oppose anti-trans genital exam measure for athletes
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The gist
Washington voters are weighing Initiative 638, which would require female student-athletes to submit provider documents verifying biological sex.
Doctors say the check could mean genital exams.
Background
Initiative Measure No. IL26-638 is a November ballot measure in Washington state that would require school districts and nonprofits to bar "biologically male students" from competing with and against female students, with students submitting health care provider documents verifying biological sex. It was sponsored by Let's Go Washington, a conservative political action committee funded by hedge-fund manager Brian Heywood, and appears alongside a separate student records measure, IL26-001. It is drawing opposition from doctors and others who work with queer and trans teens, who say the documentation could require invasive exams; supporters say it protects women's sports and that opponents have exaggerated what girls would need to prove.
How it unfolded
- Oct 14, 2026The Spokane City Council approved a resolution formally opposing both the trans athlete initiative and the student records initiative by a 6-1 vote, with Councilman Michael Cathcart the sole vote against.
- Oct 15, 2026Veronica Garcia, a two-time state champion in the girls' 2A 400-meter dash, testified in support of the resolution opposing both initiatives.
- Oct 17, 2026KIRO 7 reported voters are considering Initiative 638, which could affect approximately 118,000 girls in Washington high school athletics per WIAA data.
- Oct 20, 2026Radical Women and the Freedom Socialist Party issued a statement urging a no vote on IL26-001 and IL26-638, and The Daily (UW) published an opinion piece opposing I-638.
- Oct 21, 2026The Guardian reported the referendum has drawn broad opposition from adults who work with queer and trans teens.
Who’s saying what
- Caution
- Dr. Libby Loft, a board-certified family physician in Spokane, said examining a girl's genitals is not currently part of a sports physical, and that if supporters want a measure saying a doctor can just check a box, they should write one that says that.
- Support
- Let's Go Washington says in its FAQ that a doctor will simply check a box on a physical form that already exists to confirm a child's sex, and proponent Amy Sousa said "your doctor knows what sex you are" with no extra tests involved.
- Expert
- Dr. Erica Li, a Spokane-based pediatrician who supports the measure, told Vox it would not "pose any barriers to any female" seeking to participate in school athletics.
- Party
- Opponent Kelsey Gellner said governing bodies on the topic say genital exams for girls should be limited, calling a broad-spectrum examination for all girls in Washington medically inappropriate, while supporters say the measure is needed to protect women's sports and maintain a level playing field.
Still unverified
There is no official data on the number of transgender athletes; state officials estimated five to 10 out of more than 200,000 students. Supporters say opponents have exaggerated what girls likely would need to prove they are girls as defined by the initiative.