In another thread I raised the issue of trans HS students’ use of locker rooms. One aspect of that topic involved trans students’ participation on HS sports teams. Obviously, I am ignorant about a great many things. But I was very surprised to learn that the law in my state (IL) is apparently that HS students are allowed to participate in sports of the gender they identify with. I was wondering what folk had to say about that. (Sorry if that has been discussed at length in the other thread - I have not been keeping up with that discussion.)
I’m not a big fan of HS sports, so I really don’t care. My preference would be for a drastic reduction - if not elimination - of competitive sports in HS/college. But it does seem to me that a M to F trans individual might have a physical advantage over similarly aged individuals born F.
And I’m certainly not worried that some male jock is going to don a skirt to dominate some womens’ sport. I’d hope this discussion can avoid such ridiculous arguments, as well as accusations of bigotry, but the discussion will go where it goes.
I’m a middle aged fuddy duddy, so last night I raised this topic during dinner with 4 of my nieces and nephews in their 20s, 3 of whom had been very competitive athletes in HS and beyond. All 4 of them were surprised that this would be allowed, and thought trans individuals could experience considerable physical advantages.
I realize that simply being born male does not necessarily mean one would be a better athlete than a dedicated and genetically gifted athlete who was born female. Serena Williams or Michelle Wie would kill me at tennis or golf (or likely any other sport!) But there are reasons male tennis players, golfer, track and field, swimmers, etc., generally do not compete head-to head, aren’t there?
I also think that this may be different in HS, than in college or beyond, simply because of the age of the students, the stage younger trans individuals may be in their transition, and the purported goals of HS athletics. Sorry kids, but you do not get treated the same as adults in many significant respects. But I am open to being persuaded otherwise.
To what extent does this depend on whether the individual is receiving hormone therapy? Is that relevant? I’m far from an expert, but a brief Google suggests that transgender adolescents can be treated to suppress puberty until they can proceed with hormone therapy as early as age 16.
I’ll hold off more in this OP, and see what the rest of you have to say. And - who knows - maybe I’ll run away and hide like I did in the other thread! 
