Florida High Schools Asking Female Athletes About Their Periods
Parents and doctors are expressing concerns as female student athletes in Florida are being asked about their menstrual history before taking to the field.
Questions such as when the student got their first period and when they had their last one isn’t anything new in Florida. It’s been an ongoing question for two decades, and it is optional. Historically, that has been done on paper forms. However this fall, Palm Beach County will switch to a digital platform that’s held by a third party called Aktivate. And in the post-Roe v. Wade world, that has many people concerned.
Other districts use that platform as well, although it’s unclear what data they are tracking. Hillsborough County Public Schools told Fortune it only uses Aktivate for coach’s information, such as storing information related to their training and requirements to become a coach. The school system says it does not store student menstrual cycle information digitally.
“I don’t see why [school districts] need that access to that type of information,” said Dr. Michael Haller, a pediatric endocrinologist based in Gainesville told the Palm Beach Post. “It sure as hell will give me pause to fill it out with my kid.”
Abortion rights advocates have raised alarms about tracking a woman’s menstrual history since the Supreme Court reversed Roe. The sensitive information about minors will kept by a software company that has existed for just over one year. Aktivate, founded by former AOL CEO and News Corp. executive Jon Miller, will store the data. Aktivate says all student information will be kept confidential. Critics note, however, that since the company is not run by a medical care provider, it is not protected by HIPAA laws, so it could be forced to turn over the data to the state if subpoenaed.
Abortion is illegal in Florida after 15 weeks of gestation. And the state has also taken steps this year to ban therapy for trans minors, another group that could be affected by the menstrual questions.
Read related myGwork articles here:
Florida Plans To Ban Gender-Affirming Care For Trans Youth
Florida Governor Signs "Don’t Say Gay" Bill While Surrounded By Kids Holding Anti-LGBTQ+ Signs
Trans Girl, 13, Sues Florida Over Trans School Athletes Ban
Florida Becomes 8th US State To Enact Anti-Trans Sports Ban This Year
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