DCPS apologizes after trans teen was barred from playing boys’ soccer

Duval County Public Schools is apologizing after a transgender student was barred from playing on the boys’ soccer team.

Zach is a sophomore at Atlantic Coast High School.

In the past, Zach had played on girls’ sports teams, but this past year he felt comfortable asking his coach if he could try out for the team that aligns with his gender identity.

“So, I asked him if it would be a problem for me to try out for the boys’ team and he at first said ‘no problem,’” said Zach, who asked us only to use his first name.

But just before tryouts, the coach said Zach would need to try out for the girls’ team.

“I was disappointed, but again I’ve gone through this a lot so, I’m used to it at this point,” said Zach.

Left with no option, Zach tried out for the girls’ soccer team, and he made it.

“I wanted to play my sport so, I was fine with playing on the girls’ team if that was the only way that I could do it,” said Zach.

But DCPS has now acknowledged the wrong call was made, saying “narrative” around the ‘Fairness in Women’s Sports Act’ passed in 2021 may have contributed to the confusion. Zach’s story was first reported in The Florida Times-Union.

The Florida law prohibits trans women from competing in women-only sports, but it allows for trans men to compete on men’s teams.

“We have reached out to the student and his family to apologize and ensure that the appropriate procedure is implemented in the future,” said DCPS spokesperson Laureen Ricks.

“They said that I am allowed to compete on either team next year,” said Zach.

Unfortunately for Zach, the apology came a month after this year’s soccer season had already ended.

Zach told us what happened to him shows how a new Florida law that limits instruction about sexual orientation and gender identity could have unintended consequences.

“It only affects K-3, which people don’t understand as well. There’s really people just not looking into things and misunderstanding what a bill does,” said Zach.

And Zach told us that he and the coach are on good terms.

He said he definitely plans to try out for the boys’ team next season.

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