Many people who have argued that preventing transgender individuals from competing in the sport of their choice disrespects their personal identity and desire to pursue athletic competition. Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder told Cowboy State Daily that’s not the case.
A women’s rugby coach at the University of Wyoming, Degenfelder said she sees the issue of transgender participation in sports as one of safety and opportunity for female participants, not one of ignoring the rights of transgender people.
“This isn’t about making a claim that our transgender students shouldn’t be recognized for their skills and accomplishments, sports however just really isn’t the place,” she said. “We need to make sure we maintain those opportunities for safety with women and girls.”
Shortly after taking office, President Donald Trump issued an executive order that bans transgender athletes from playing in girls’ and women’s sports. The NCAA quickly announced afterwards that it would comply with the order, but some states have not been as cooperative. Attorney General Pam Bondi sent letters to officials in California, Maine and Minnesota on Tuesday warning they must bar transgender students from women’s sports or risk legal action.
Two different bills have been brought in this year’s Wyoming Legislature extending a ban on transgender females competing in female sports to the collegiate level. Both of these bills passed through their respective houses and have been assigned to committees.
School Choice
Degenfelder also supports initiating universal school vouchers for private education, no matter a family’s income, another bill that’s been making its way through the Legislature this year. Those who have argued against this bill have said it will hurt public schools and gut their funding.
Degenfelder disagrees and believes the vast majority of students will continue to thrive in the public education system, of which she is a product of herself as a graduate of Natrona County High School.
“Choice is all about recognizing that every student learns so differently and giving that ability for parents and families to make the decision that best meets their child and needs, that’s what it’s really about,” she said. “We want to make sure those opportunities are made available for parents no matter how rural their zip code may be.”
Personal Vision
Degenfelder, 36, also spoke to Cowboy State Daily about why she believes it’s critical for the next generation of leaders in Wyoming to start stepping up. She sees Vice President J.D. Vance, who is only 40, as an “exciting” member of her age group.
“We’re the ones that are going to be living through good or bad, the policy decisions that are made today,” she said. “We need a seat at the table. My generation has got to be involved with the decision making.”
The need to represent her generation and her family legacy as a sixth generation Wyomingite, Degenfelder said, was one of the biggest reasons she decided to run for office in 2022, and something she said she continues to think about each day. Her grandfather was a high school student during the worst blizzard in Wyoming history in 1949, saving his family’s ranch by gathering up livestock.
“I felt compelled to follow in those footsteps at an early age,” she said.
Degenfelder, who is about halfway through her first term, said it’s amazing to now see the fruits of her labors taking growth.
“It’s just an incredible thing,” she said.
Degenfelder, who previously worked in the oil and gas industry as a manager of government affairs for Southland Royalty Company and Cloud Peak Energy, said it was her private sector experience that inspired her run for superintendent, seeing the need for a more abundant and skilled workforce.
“I’ve always had a passion for education and energy,” she said. “I think those are the two most impactful things in lifting people out of poverty and fulfilling the American dream.”
As far as her future ambitions in politics, Degenfelder wouldn’t get into specifics but said her main focus is representing Wyoming and making it better for future generations by improving the quality of life and number of jobs available. If she has anything to say of Wyoming’s future, she said it will be one of success, resilience and bold, strong leadership.
She mentioned how Wyoming became the first territory to grant women the right to vote in 1869, which led to the rest of America eventually following suit.
“That’s the kind of leadership that we have here in Wyoming and that we need to take under our control and really push back hard on,” she said. “Those examples that come before me just make it all the more important.”
Leo Wolfson can be reached at leo@cowboystatedaily.com.
