The situation surrounding transgender athletes in Oregon has taken a turn for the worse, with the state agency responsible for school athletics resorting to threatening young girls. These girls are being warned that if they dare to voice their concerns about transgender athletes, they will be excluded from participating in athletic competitions. This controversial decision was announced shortly after Aayden Gallagher, a young man who identifies as a girl, emerged victorious in the Oregon high school state championship. The crowd expressed their disapproval by booing as Gallagher pushed a female runner off the medal platform. According to a parent interviewed by The Publica, both parents and students were informed that any complaints would result in negative consequences.

“My daughter is in her senior year, and she has to compete with Aayden, who just won first at State and took away spots from our girls. He doesn’t deserve it. He needs to be with the men. I don’t care if he’s transgender. You can have your own opinion and do what you want to do, but you have no right taking away from these girls,” the mother said.

Another mom said they were told that their kids would no longer be allowed to participate in future events.

“Yes, a lot of parents are afraid to speak out because there is [an announcement]from OSAA that if you discriminate or you put anyone down for their gender or if you talk negative, it can disqualify the children from events, but it can also pick out parents from all OSAA events,” the mother responded.

One of the female athletes was described how disturbing the entire ordeal was, saying: “It’s sickening to think that a man could have been watching me change.”