Rally planned to support Washington girls who refused to race against transgender teammate in cross country

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Supporters of Camas High School runners who walked out of a race over a transgender teammate’s participation are planning a rally next week, with organizer Amy Sousa urging adults to take the pressure off the students.

Sousa was a prominent organizer for the rallies in support of Sophie Cunningham following her stance in opposing males competing girls’ sports during this past WNBA season.

The “Camas Courage” rally is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 21, at 2 p.m. at 2600 NW Lake Road in Camas, Washington, according to the event flyer.

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“You should not have to become student-activists. Adults are now taking the reins and adults are standing up,” Sousa told OutKick

The rally follows the Oct. 13 walk-off by about a dozen Camas girls who declined to compete against a transgender athlete who had begun the season racing in the boys’ division.

Sousa, who attended and filmed Tuesday’s protest, said she wants the rally to show the runners that adults support them and will press for changes to the eligibility rules. She said expected participants include Republican state Sen. John Braun, women from Women’s Declaration International USA and Women’s Liberation Front, and parents and students.

Sousa challenged school officials who have said they are following the rules.

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“You do not have to wait for a permission slip to have courage. Real leadership is standing up and doing the right thing when it’s uncomfortable,” she said.

The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association has said its gender-identity participation policy follows state law and that it cannot implement proposed restrictions that would violate that law.

Sousa also hopes to build support for Initiative 638, which Washington voters will consider Nov. 3. The measure would prohibit biologically male students from competing in certain female-only school sports and require health care provider verification of biological sex.

Supporters say it would protect fair competition for girls. Opponents say it would exclude transgender girls and impose new medical and privacy burdens on female athletes.

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Sousa said she was notifying authorities about the rally and intended to hold it before the meet began, minimizing disruption to the students’ competition. She said she would welcome conversation with people who disagree with her position.

Her criticism, she said, is directed at the adults responsible for the policy.

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“It’s not the fault of this boy that this has been allowed to happen,” Sousa said. “We need to do better for our daughters.”

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