Trans teen on girls track team divides LI town — and could cost district $13M in funding

New York Post - Apr 27th, 2025
Open on New York Post

A transgender freshman on the William Floyd High School girls' track team has sparked a heated debate in Long Island over fairness in sports and the potential loss of federal funding due to a recent executive order by former President Trump. This student, who has socially transitioned but is not on hormone treatment, has led to community division with rallies both supporting and opposing her participation. Concerns focus on perceived competitive advantages and the use of locker rooms, while some parents demand district action.

The executive order threatens to rescind federal funds from schools allowing trans athletes to compete based on gender identity, impacting William Floyd’s $13 million federal funding. Despite New York laws protecting trans students in sports, this federal stance creates potential crises for districts dependent on such funding. State officials argue the order is legally ineffective, while similar actions in other states, like Maine, are being contested in court. The ongoing situation underscores the tension between state and federal policies on transgender rights in sports.

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RATING

6.0
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The news story effectively highlights a contentious issue involving a transgender athlete's participation in high school sports, reflecting broader national debates on gender identity and fairness. The article succeeds in capturing public interest and engagement by presenting differing community perspectives and potential implications for federal funding. However, the story could improve in source quality and transparency by including more authoritative voices and detailed explanations of legal and policy aspects. While it maintains clarity and timeliness, the balance could be enhanced by providing more visibility to the perspectives of the transgender student and her supporters. Overall, the story is a significant contribution to public discourse, with room for deeper exploration of the complex issues involved.

RATING DETAILS

7
Accuracy

The story presents several factual claims, such as the participation of a transgender girl in a Long Island high school track team and the potential loss of federal funding due to a White House order. These claims are largely consistent with the information available from other sources. However, the story could benefit from more precise details, such as the exact nature of the executive order and its legal standing, which is contested by state officials. The claim about the community's divided reaction is supported by reports of protests and differing opinions, but specific evidence of these events would strengthen the story's accuracy.

6
Balance

The article attempts to present a balanced view by including quotes from both supporters and opponents of the transgender athlete's participation. However, it leans slightly towards highlighting the concerns of those opposing her participation, with more detailed arguments and emotional appeals. The perspective of the transgender student herself, or those directly supporting her, is less prominently featured, which could lead to a perceived imbalance in perspective representation.

7
Clarity

The article is generally clear in its language and structure, presenting the main issues and differing viewpoints in a straightforward manner. However, the complexity of legal and policy implications could be better explained to enhance reader comprehension. The use of direct quotes helps convey the emotional aspects of the debate, but a clearer breakdown of the legal and financial stakes would improve clarity.

5
Source quality

The story references a mix of sources, including the South Shore Press and statements from individuals within the community. However, it lacks direct quotes from authoritative sources, such as school officials or legal experts, which would enhance the credibility of the claims. The reliance on unnamed sources for some claims, such as the potential use of locker rooms, may affect the perceived reliability of the information.

5
Transparency

The article provides some context regarding the controversy and the potential implications of federal funding loss. However, it lacks transparency in explaining the methodology behind certain claims, such as the specifics of the executive order and its enforcement. The absence of detailed explanations about how information was gathered or verified could impact readers' understanding of the story's basis.

Sources

  1. https://longisland.news12.com/dueling-protests-outside-william-floyd-high-school-after-parents-say-boy-is-on-girls-track-team
  2. https://abcnews.go.com/US/nassau-county-announces-ban-trans-women-competing-womens/story?id=107453575
  3. https://abc3340.com/news/nation-world/judge-strikes-down-ny-new-york-long-island-transgender-athlete-ban-supreme-court-judge-decision-justice-francis-ricigliano-lgbtq-womens-sports-long-island-roller-rebels-derby-league-nassau-county-executive-bruce-blakeman?photo=1
  4. https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/nassau-county-transgender-athlete-ban/