Let’s be really clear: Inclusive girls’ sports in Washington state have been wildly successful. Far from the wild grifter fever dream about transgender athletes, actual girls have flocked to sports this year in an astonishing %28 increase year over year. And this wasn’t just any year: Very public attacks on trans girl athletes flooded in from all sides. Instead of fleeing from “scary” trans kids, 21,000 more girls jumped into sports.

Participation in girls sports in Washington is skyrocketing because inclusion tells everyone they're welcome. The only reason we are talking about I-638 is that a billionaire with only a passing relationship to Washington state has used their wealth to try and tell Washingtonians which children to love and who to reject. This ballot measure, which was funded by tech bro Brian Heywood, says that to play sports, all girls must prove they are girls as “defined by certain biological factors.” Since most scientists wouldn’t agree with them about what those factors are, we can assume a safe translation is “let’s erase trans children and control women’s bodies.”

Transgender kids unequivocally deserve the same opportunities as their peers. Playing sports teaches skills kids need in order to grow up to be good citizens: teamwork, resilience, how each person’s unique strengths contribute, how to own and learn from mistakes, how to be committed to something larger than yourself, and so much more. These skills don’t stay on the field, they extend into all aspects of life. Our communities are stronger when ALL kids benefit from these lessons.

Anyone who knows a trans kid well knows that trans girls are girls. Full stop. Girls of all races, ethnicities, backgrounds, socioeconomic statuses, and sexualities are girls. Excluding any girl for any reason is not what women’s sports are about.

Supporting girls sports means supporting trans inclusion. They are one and the same. The WNBA’s Golden State Valkyries have sold out every home game in their existence and are in the Finals, while featuring a star and a coach who’ve been explicit about their support of trans inclusion. Their semi-final opponents, the defending champion Las Vegas Aces, who just participated in the most watched playoff series in WNBA history, include Brianna Taylor, a fierce and constant advocate for trans inclusion. THIS is the climate that is encouraging and inspiring girls. Study after study shows that girls stay in sports when they feel connected and encouraged - not judged and pressured. We are strongest when we come together as a community and support each other.