On Thursday (April 20), House Republicans passed legislation prohibiting federally financed schools and universities from allowing transgender athletes whose biological sex at birth was male to compete on girls’ or women’s sports teams. According to the Associated Press, the plan, which was adopted by a 219-203 party-line vote, is unlikely to move further because the Democratic-led Senate would not support it and US President Joe Biden has declared he will veto it. At least 20 other American states, including North Carolina, have passed similar prohibitions on transgender athletes at the K-12 or collegiate levels.
On Thursday, backers of the law stated that it was required to preserve competitive fairness. They portrayed the vote as a support for female athletes who were disadvantaged by having to compete against those whose gender identity did not correspond to their sex at birth. Meanwhile, opponents blasted the plan for ostracizing an already vulnerable minority for political gain, according to the Associated Press.
Proposed bill would prohibit transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports
The bill would update the famous civil rights statute known as Title IX, which was enacted more than 50 years ago. It would make it illegal for recipients of government funds to allow someone “whose sex is male” to engage in programs intended for girls or women.
The bill’s sponsor, Republican Greg Steube of Florida, highlighted the case of Emma Weyant, a resident of his area, on Thursday. Weyant was a member of the United States Olympic Swimming team in 2020, and she finished second in the NCAA women’s 500-yard freestyle championship in 2022. Lia Thomas, who formerly competed on the University of Pennsylvania men’s swimming team before joining the women’s squad, defeated her.
Steube stated that the integrity of women’s sports must be safeguarded. In applauding the measure, US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy stated that it was a terrific day for America, a great day for girls and women, and a great day for sports fairness.
Democrats oppose the bill
The Democrats blasted Thursday’s bill for doing little to address the huge disparities in resources allocated to men’s and women’s sports. Democrat Pramila Jayapal, who has a transgender daughter, said on Thursday that Republicans were ruthlessly scapegoating transgender children for political gain.
According to Jayapal, three-quarters of transgender adolescents have suffered harassment or prejudice at school, and many have considered suicide.
“These bills tell some of the most vulnerable children in our country that they do not belong. Shame on you,” Jaypal said.
Another Democrat, Mark Pocan, noted that most people in the United States do not know anyone who is transgender, which can cause fear that politicians might exploit. Pocan noted Utah Governor Spencer Cox, who last year vetoed a law prohibiting transgender students from participating in females sports. “I struggle to understand so much of it and the science is conflicting. When in doubt, however, I always try to err on the side of kindness, mercy, and compassion.”
Mark Pocan pointed out on Thursday that at the time of the veto in Utah, there were four transgender high school athletes out of 85,000, with only one competing in female sports.
“There’s your raging national problem. What’s the Republicans’ response to this nonexistent issue? Hurt kids for being kids,” he further said.
