Armor Persons

As a School Board Member for the School District of Lee County, I’m grateful to connect with you to address questions, share updates, and celebrate the many accomplishments of our District. One topic that comes up frequently is our policies regarding student athletics, including questions about team participation and facility use.

The conversation around transgender athletes in school sports is ongoing, and we recognize that this is a complex and sensitive topic that affects students, families, and communities in meaningful ways. In Lee County, our District’s policies align with Florida law, specifically the Florida Fairness in Women’s Sports Act (SB 1028), which has been in place here for three years. This state statute is designed to create and maintain equitable athletic opportunities, outlining guidelines that our District follows.

Under this law, students must participate on sports teams and use locker room facilities corresponding to their biological sex as designated at birth. This means that transgender girls–students who identify as female but were assigned male at birth–are currently not permitted to participate in girls’ sports teams.

The objective of SB 1028 is to ensure that female athletes can showcase their talents, strength, and dedication in a competitive environment that supports them. It also aims to create opportunities for these athletes to gain recognition, earn college scholarships, and benefit from the physical and personal growth that athletics offers. While perspectives on this topic can vary, there are many community members that support this policy, believing it helps preserve fair competition.

Our commitment as a School District is to follow all state laws while fostering an inclusive environment where all students feel valued and respected. We know that each student brings unique strengths to our schools, and we continue to seek ways to support everyone’s well-being and growth.

Armor Persons represents District 5 on the Lee County School Board.