Perkiomen Valley School Board member and candidate Jason Saylor (Credit: MediaNews Group)
Jason Saylor and other conservative petitioners challenge PHRC regulations, arguing that redefining "sex" undermines fairness in sports and student privacy
Perkiomen Valley School Board Director Jason Saylor is part of a group suing the state of Pennsylvania over changes to rules governing bathroom use and school athletic programs.
According to The Mercury, Saylor, along with other parents and a state representative, is challenging the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission's (PHRC) 2023 regulations that redefine "sex" to include gender identity, sexual orientation, and personal expression.
The group argues that the Pennsylvania Constitution grants lawmaking power to the state legislature, which has traditionally defined "sex" as male or female, based on biological factors at birth.
The lawsuit, backed by the conservative Thomas More Society, is filed on behalf of two western Pennsylvania school districts: the South Side Area School District and the Knoch School District.
According to the report, the plaintiffs argue that the PHRC's redefinition of sex oversteps the authority of the legislature and is in direct conflict with prior court decisions that have consistently defined sex as male or female based on biological factors.
The legal action seeks to overturn these regulations, which are viewed as undermining parental rights and traditional definitions of gender.
Saylor, a candidate for reelection this November, expressed his concerns in a column where he discussed the fairness of school sports. He argued that allowing individuals who were assigned male at birth to compete in female sports gives them an unfair advantage and undermines the integrity of competition.
Saylor's stance is based on what he sees as the undeniable biological reality of two sexes, and he claims that this issue is not about inclusion but about fairness in athletics, according to the article.
Beth Ann Rosica, another petitioner, has a history of conservative activism, having previously led a political action committee focused on electing conservatives to Pennsylvania school boards. Rosica is particularly concerned with how the PHRC's regulations impact the rights of girls and women, especially in sports and private spaces like bathrooms and locker rooms. Rosica believed that the lawsuit is necessary to protect the rights and safety of girls in Pennsylvania.
