A bill to ban transgender girls from participating in female sports passed the Republican-led Pennsylvania House Education Committee on March 29, over vast Democratic opposition.
The proclaimed “Protect Women’s Sports Act” bill passed the committee 15-9 strictly on party lines. The GOP-led chamber will now have the ability to consider the bill on a full house vote.
The bill, labeled discriminatory on the basis of gender by human rights organizations, would restrict participants to male or female teams based on their reproductive organs, biology or genetics at birth.
The bill states that sports designated for women or girls prohibit “students of the male sex” from participating in their organization, while also giving students and schools the right to sue those who permit trans-women to participate.
The ban covers all levels of sanctioned sports from K-12 school teams, college sports, intramurals and club teams sponsored by school organizations in Pennsylvania.
The legislation was introduced back in early 2021 by several Republican lawmakers. However, the committee vote held on March 29 came in the aftermath of University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas becoming the first transgender athlete to win a Division I National Championship.
A spokesperson for the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania, who oppose the bill, stated that trans athletes have long participated in competitive sports without raising specific notice or question.
“We’re seeing people who want to erase trans people from public life making an issue of it,” ACLU’s Communications Director of Pennsylvania Andy Hoover said. “That’s the problem—these folks are pushing a public policy of exclusion and isolation of trans students.”
Throughout his two terms, Governor Wolf has vowed to veto any legislation that he deems to be “hateful.” The “Protect Women’s Sports Act” would fall under that category.
Pennsylvania is one of many Republican-led states where anti-transgender initiatives are gaining traction within state legislatures.
On Wednesday, March 30, Oklahoma Republican Governor Kevin Stitt signed legislation banning transgender women and girls from competing on sports teams consistent with their gender at all levels of public education in the state.
That same day, Arizona Republican Governor Doug Ducey signed two anti-transgender bills into law that target transgender youth throughout the state. One of those bills will restrict access to gender-affirming health care for minors. The other prohibits transgender athletes from competing on women’s and girls’ sports teams at some schools in the state.
Republican Governor Kristy Noem of South Dakota signed legislation in early February that states transgender women and girls in South Dakota will not be able to compete on sports teams consistent with their gender at accredited schools and colleges. In early March, Iowa Republican Governor Kim Reynolds approved equivalent legislation.
The controversial topic is quickly turning into a catalyst for GOP voters as the 2022 Midterm Elections slowly arrive.
Florida has seen the largest media coverage of recent anti-LGBTQ+ legislation that is sweeping the country with a controversial bill that was signed by Republican Governor Ron DeSantis on March 28.
Dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” bill by those that oppose the measure, the law forbids instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade.
The policy has drawn extreme national scrutiny from critics who argue it marginalizes young LGBTQ+ people.
The legislation has pushed DeSantis, an ascending leader in the party and potential 2024 presidential candidate, to the front of this country’s culture wars.
Through all the political noise Republicans are making, President Biden commemorated International Transgender Day of Visibility on Thursday, March 31.
“The onslaught of anti-transgender state laws attacking you and your families is simply wrong,” Biden said in the video. “This administration is standing up for you against all these hateful bills. And we’re committed to advancing transgender equality in the classroom, on the playing field, at work, in our military and our housing and health care systems.”
