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Oklahoma commission defers intergender, transgender wrestling decision to legislature

Posted: Oct 10th 2024 By: Ian Carey

The Oklahoma State Athletic Commission has decided not to make a ruling on intergender wrestling or matches involving transgender wrestlers.

On Tuesday, the OSAC met to discuss potentially changing a rule that prohibits intergender matches and prevents transgender wrestlers from competing with cisgender wrestlers who share the same gender identity. This discussion followed a similar meeting in July, where the commission was unable to reach a decision.

Some OSAC members argued that changing the rule would violate the state’s law that prohibits intergender sporting contests. Others argued the law isn’t applicable since wrestling is entertainment. Ultimately, the commission ruled that the issue could get too political if they changed the rule on their own.

“Even if they are defined by statute as male and female, are we still going to allow them to wrestle together,” said commissioner Michael Stopp, via OKC Fox. “That’s the question, and it’s going to get lost. The rule will never pass.”

The commission passed a resolution requesting that the Oklahoma state legislature address the issue in a legislative hearing, choosing not to make a decision on its own.

The debate was sparked by a December 2023 AEW event at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, featuring transgender wrestler Nyla Rose. The commission warned AEW that punitive action could be taken if similar events occur in the future.

Wrestler Logan Knight posted footage of the meeting to his YouTube channel