Controversial questionnaire for female Florida high school athletes nixed

ORLANDO, Fla. — A controversial proposal that would have required female Florida high school athletes to disclose details about their menstrual cycle is now on hold.

On Tuesday afternoon, the proposal was taken off the table.

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“This is truly a victory for all teenage girls across the state of Florida who compete in sports,” said Jenn Meale Poggie, who has three daughters, one of whom plays on her high school’s varsity soccer team.

When Poggie first told her teen about the possible rule changes, “She was appalled and disturbed.”

That’s why she started a petition called “Privacy, period.”

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It was fighting against this recommended physical evaluation that was approved by Florida’s Sports Medicine Advisory Committee last month.

On the second page, under medical questions, it asks students:

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• Have you had a menstrual period?
• How old were you when you had your first?
• When was the most recent menstrual period?
• And how many periods have you had in the past 12 months?

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The FHSAA have now taken that section out after Florida Democrats sent a letter to the association today asking it to recind the recommendation.

Some critics claim it was coming in response to concerns about transgender athletes competing in women’s sports, something the FHSAA denied.

Late Tuesday afternoon, the organization removed the questions and will hold a public meeting Thursday to make the new form official.

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“It was completely inappropriate to have them on the form in the first place and they made the right decision,” Poggie said.

The meeting will take place in Gainesville starting at 10:30 a.m. It will also be streamed online.

People can sign up for public comment on the matter up until 7 a.m. Thursday.

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