Vermont Democrat scolds Christian school over trans controversy, says they deserve sports ban

Democratic State Senator Rebecca White of Vermont told CNN the athletes are ‘unlikely’ to go on to elite professional athletics.

A Vermont state senator defended the barring of a Christian school from future sports tournaments after the girls’ basketball team forfeited a game because its opponent had a transgender student on the roster. 

"I don’t think it’s a bridge too far," Vermont Democratic State Senator Rebecca White told CNN on Monday. 

"The athletes that we’re talking about are unlikely to go on to elite professional athletics, but that concept of discriminating against another person, it causes long-term outcomes for trans youth because they’re hearing rhetoric that tells them they are not valuable, that they’re dangerous," she said. 

White also said she felt "disappointment" with the adults who supported the decision to forfeit the game and suggested the school was "pushing back" on the state’s commitment to inclusivity. 

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Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt signs a bill in Oklahoma City on Wednesday, March 30, 2022, that prevents transgender girls and women from competing on female sports teams.  ((AP Photo/Sean Murphy))

"We’re an inclusive state, we’re a welcoming state," White said. "So, it doesn’t surprise me that we’ve had a situation where folks are pushing back against some of that inclusive work that we’ve done. Because it is innovative, it is bold and it’s important."

Last month, the Mid Vermont Christian School dropped out of the tournament ahead of a game against Long Trail Mountain. Head of School Vicky Fogg argued at the time that it was unfair and unsafe for the high school girls to play against a