Washington High School Swimmer Demands Locker-Room Privacy, Pushes Ballot Measures to Protect Girls' Sports

Sadie Sullivan, a swimmer at Wenatchee High School, drew attention after delivering a speech at a Super Signer Rally hosted by Let’s Go Washington at Garden City Academy. Her remarks called on state schools to ensure girls have private, safe spaces in locker rooms and fair opportunities in athletics.

Students' Remarks

"Girls should never have to feel uncomfortable in their own locker room," Sullivan said. "Girls should never be told their feelings don’t matter. Girls should never be pressured by adults to undress around boys. And girls should never have to sacrifice their safety for somebody else’s comfort."

Another student speaker, Ahnaleigh Wilson, a track-and-field athlete at Eastmont High School, criticized state leaders for what she described as a mismatch of priorities. "You have stood up for transgender athletes, but you have not stood up for us," Wilson said of Governor Bob Ferguson. "We deserve protection in our locker rooms, in our sports, and in the opportunities that we have worked so hard for." To Superintendent Chris Reykdal she added: "When you say 'all' students, it seems you have forgotten that 'all' includes biological girls as well."

What The Rally Supports

The rally backed two proposed ballot initiatives promoted by Let’s Go Washington: IL26-001, which would expand parental access to certain school communications and records, and IL26-638, which seeks to restrict participation in girls' sports to those designated female at birth. Campaign organizers say they have a little over a month left to collect the required signatures to qualify both measures for the ballot.

Darren Littell, campaign manager for Let’s Go Washington, said the students' speeches have inspired supporters and encouraged sign-ups: "People know girls deserve fair competition. People know girls deserve a safe, private space to get ready for sports." He urged registered voters in Washington to request signature sheets on the group's website.

State Response And Context

State education officials reiterated existing policy. Katy Payne, Chief Communications Officer for the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), told reporters that Washington law prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender identity and gender expression in public schools and that "all students have the right to be treated in accordance with their gender identity, including in access to sex-separated spaces, like restrooms and locker rooms." Payne added that any student who seeks increased privacy should be provided access to an alternative restroom or changing area, and that OSPI is responsible for implementing and enforcing the law.

The students' remarks come after the state enacted legislation earlier this year that included provisions on gender identity and school services; critics say some of those changes affected parental notification rules. Supporters and opponents continue to debate how best to balance student privacy, safety, and inclusion.

Fox News Digital reached out to Governor Ferguson for comment.