WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Two rule changes proposed by Whatcom County school districts to restrict transgender participation in high school sports have failed.

One that fell just one vote shy of being approved would have restricted girls’ sports to biological females. The other, which failed by a much wider margin, would have created an open division outside of “boys and girls” for transgender or nonbinary students. Neither amendment reached the 60% supermajority needed to pass during the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association’s (WIAA) vote over the past two weeks.

The Lynden, Lynden Christian and Blaine school districts were among those who submitted one or both of the proposals. They were each up for advisory-only votes, because several state agencies told the WIAA that they would violate state law.

My Bellingham Now previously reported that the Lynden School District is preparing to take “legal action” against the state over its enforcement of gender inclusivity rules.

Meanwhile, the WIAA voted to approve girls flag football as an official high school sport, making it the first newly sanctioned sport in Washington since 1999.

That, and six more amendments which passed, will take effect on Aug. 1, 2025.

“I am incredibly thankful for the membership’s hard work throughout this amendment cycle, and the WIAA is excited to welcome a new activity to the Association. We’re thankful to the Seattle Seahawks and James Neil for their leadership in helping bring Girls Flag Football to this point, and we look forward to continuing that partnership as the sport grows statewide,” Executive Director Mick Hoffman said.