As the issue of transgender athletes carries on, there are more than 70 bills in 26 state governments looking to block transgender athletes from participating in K-12 sports using their preferred gender instead of their biological sex. Conservative lawmakers have continued to make the argument that transgender women playing against biological women would present an unfair advantage. It would strip biological women opportunities of sports scholarships, opportunities to advance competitively, or hold national titles in their name.
Mississippi, Idaho, and South Dakota have all signed measures that do not allow “students of the male sex” to play on athletic teams or sports designed for females. They would ban sports from allowing transgender athletes to participate in sports that “align with their gender identity.” This is in response to an executive order signed by President Joe Biden that bans discrimination based on gender identity in school sports.
Alliance Defending freedom attorney Christiana Holcomb has been on the frontlines of preventing transgender athletes from competing in girls sports. Supporters of the movement have argued that transgender girls, who were born male, are naturally stronger, faster, and bigger than those born female. “When we ignore science and biological reality, female athletes lose medals, podium spots, public recognition, and opportunities to compete,” she said.
Conservatives have argued that while they support fairness and equality for all trans people, they believe that Biden’s order allowing trans-women athletes to compete against female biological bodies is inarguably unfair, unequal, and dangerous, noting that those born with a male anatomy, consisting of testosterone and other male hormones increases strength and stamina.
Biologically female athletes argue that they “don’t stand a chance” against their competition, noting that professional MMA fighter Ronda Rousey has refused to fight trans fighter Fallon Fox. Even New Zealand transgender weightlifter Laurel Hubbard has faced critical backlash after winning a gold medal at the Pacific Games.
The U.S Department of Education recently withdrew its involvement from the order.
“We recognize that there are some physiological differences in strength. We want women to have an advantage and be able to participate within their own network of strength and safety,” said State Sen. Kelli Stargel, a lawmaker fighting Biden’s legislation.
Mississippi Republican Gov. Tate Reeves was one of the first states to propose restrictions against the gender-confirming order. He notes that he has three daughters who play sports and that this bill would protect young girls from being forced to compete with biological males for athletic opportunities. He joined legislators in the Mississippi Capitol to support the bill and voice opposition against the President.
“But for the fact that President Biden as one of his first initiatives sat down and signed an executive order — which, in my opinion, encourages transgenderism amongst our young people — but for that fact, we wouldn’t be here today,” Gov. Reeves said.
The fair and safe competition for women and girls is being threatened by a radical left. While conservatives continue to protect women’s sports, they argue that the bill isn’t “anti-trans” or “anti-trans sports,” but just inconsistence on a level and fair playing ground.
