Editor’s note: Below is a letter written by dozens of former and active Alaskan coaches, athletes, sports officials and others urging Alaska lawmakers to pass Senate Bill 140. The legislation aims to protect women’s sports from gender-confused biological males who demand to compete against girls in athletics. SB 140 is scheduled for a public hearing on Saturday, March 12, at 10 a.m. in the Alaska Senate Education Committee. See below for details on how to testify.

LETTER SUPPORTING THE ALASKA EVEN PLAYING FIELD ACT – SB 140

As former and active coaches and athletes in Alaska, we submit to you this statement in support of Senator Shelley Hughes legislation – SB 140 – the Even Playing Field Act.

Girls are losing their right to an equal playing field because they are being forced to compete against biological boys. This is unfair and demands a response — which is why we need you, as a state policy maker to take a stand! Please support SB 140 and vote yes to protect women’s and girls’ sports.

SB 140 is similar to what has been introduced in dozens of other states. It would preserve Title IX protections for women and girls and guarantee fairness by ensuring that biological boys compete against biological boys, and biological girls compete against biological girls. Title IX was enacted in 1972 to stop discrimination and create equal athletic opportunities for women.

Allowing biological males to compete against biological females ignores the scientific fact that males have an overwhelming physical advantage over women and girls. They have greater bone density, bigger hearts and lungs, are typically larger, and have more muscle strength. This not only makes the competition unfair, but it also makes many sports physically unsafe for women if they are forced to compete against men.

Because of biology, thousands of high school boys can consistently outperform Olympic level women athletes. In fact, in one year 275 high school boys beat the lifetime best record of World Champion Sprinter, Allyson Felix.

If the best female athletes in the world can’t compete against high school boys, why would we force high school girls to compete against them? A male’s belief about his gender doesn’t erase his physical advantages over female athletes.

We want everyone to have the opportunity to compete in sports and have access to a fair playing field. Competing in sports teaches valuable life lessons and gives kids and young adults confidence, discipline, and perseverance. It’s no surprise that 96% of female CEOs competed in sports.

We need the Even Playing Field Act in Alaska. Not just for young women today, but also for women in generations to come. We encourage you to act today by voting YES for SB 140 – a bill that addresses this incredibly important public policy matter.

Current Supporters of SB 140 – the Even Playing Field Act

— Larry Whitmore: 14-time state track and field Coach of the Year, and inducted into the National High School Coaches Hall of Fame.

— Marcus Dunbar: Former Bartlett High School state champion in track, Kodiak coach for many years and an official for track and field.

— Tanner Ealum: Gatorade State Player of the Year in Alaska girls track & field as a senior. She won 13 Alaska state track and field titles, including four (100, 200, 400 and 4 x 400) as a senior. Currently, she is running track at Liberty University.

— Joe Alward: Former West High School runner in track, a coach at West High School, and a track and field official.

— Doug Herron: Former Bartlett High School track and cross-country state champion, and the national and world champion in the 800 meters with the fastest high school time in the 800 meters in the nation.

— Lance Williamson: Former runner for West High School, and former coach from Homer High School.

— Robert Tedrick: Former Bartlett runner, and an official for track and field.

— Johnny Mc Grew: Former Bartlett High School state recorder holder and champion in the 800 meters, also a coach at Dimond High School.

— Katrina Reed Lande: Ran for Service High School.

— Kenny Davidson: Former Bartlett High runner.

— Gary Howell: Former Wasilla High School coach.

— Ron Langseth: Former Valdez High School coach.

— Dan Marshall: Seward High School coach.

— Paul Dougherty: Former Bartlett High School runner.

— Mike Luedke: Rugby coach.

— Trevor Dunbar: Coach and runner.

— Miles Dunbar: Runner.

— Judy Ann Carsten: Mother and grandmother of many top Alaskan athletes. Most recently her granddaughter, Bethany Carsten, a star runner from Nikiski High School, is competing in college.

— Beverley O’Keefe Williams: Hockey mother.

— Jaymi Bethea Linscheid: Kodiak High School cross country state champion.

— Mark Stewart: Bartlett High runner, father of three good Colony High School female runners.

— Jeff Hamberger: Coach from Cordova High School.

— Aaron Dickson: Palmer High School runner.

— Camille Jamposky: National heptathlon champion who competed at the University of Oregon.

— Craig Kelpinger: Bartlett High School former runner.

— Cory Pena: Kodiak High School state champion.

— Kerry Wyatt: Former East Anchorage High runner and athlete.

— Michael Janecek: Former coach at Palmer High School and a track and field official.

— Sarah Robbins: Female athlete.

— Jake Moe: Anchorage Christian School coach and runner.

— Steve Jordan: Coach.

— Levi Fried: Kodiak High School 800-meter champion.

TAKING ACTION

— Senate Bill 140 will be heard in the Senate Education Committee on March 12 at 10 a.m.

— To testify over the phone, call one of the following numbers: Anchorage (907) 563-9085, Juneau (907) 586-9085, statewide (844) 586-9085.

— Email all members of the Senate Education Committee at Senate.Education@akleg.gov.

— Click here to contact individual members of the Senate Education Committee.

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