Republicans in Connecticut will honor three high school girls who filed a lawsuit over the state’s policy allowing transgender athletes to compete in sports for women.
High school seniors Chelsea Mitchell and Selina Soule, along with sophomore Alanna Smith, will be presented with the Connecticut Republican Party’s Courage Award during a ceremony in March, according to the Associated Press.
“We think, in today’s day and age, these young women standing up for what they believe should be honored,” J.R. Romano, the state party chairman, said.
The families of the three high school cross-country runners filed a federal lawsuit the day before the start of the state’s indoor track championships with the hope of stopping transgender athletes from competing in sports for women.
“Mentally and physically, we know the outcome before the race even starts,” Smith said. “That biological unfairness doesn’t go away because of what someone believes about gender identity. All girls deserve the chance to compete on a level playing field.”
Since 2017, the three students have finished behind two transgender runners more than a dozen times.
“Our dream is not to come in second or third place but to win fair and square,” Mitchell said. “All we’re asking for is a fair chance.”
Named in the lawsuit are Terry Miller and Andraya Yearwood, two transgender athletes who have together won 15 women’s state championship titles. Mitchell defeated Miller in a race by .02 seconds earlier this month but said there are other girls who lose to transgender athletes on a “daily basis.”
