Global Courant 2023-04-13 16:33:10
Transgender women in Alabama would be banned from joining female sports teams in college, according to legislation introduced by a legislative committee on Wednesday.
The Alabama House Education Policy Committee passed legislation that would extend a 2021 ban on transgender athletes on K-12 sports teams to college teams. The bill states that sports teams “designated for females, females or girls are not open to a biological male”. Likewise, a “biological woman” would also not be allowed to compete on boys’ and men’s teams. The legislation now goes to the full Alabama House of Representatives.
Proponents said transgender women have an unfair competitive advantage, while opponents argue the bills are rooted in discrimination and fear. At least 19 other states have now placed restrictions on transgender athletes.
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Alabama is one of 20 states that have banned transgender athletes from joining certain sports teams. The state is considering a bill that would extend a 2021 ban on transgender athletes on K-12 sports teams to college teams.
“Forcing women to compete against biological males would undo decades of progress women have made toward equal opportunity in athletics,” Republican Rep. Susan DuBose, the sponsor of the bill, told the committee. Dubose said that “no amount of hormone therapy can negate all those benefits” of being born male.
Jeff Walker, an Auburn father who spoke out against the legislation at a public hearing, said the bill addresses a “sham problem.” He challenged lawmakers to show a case where transgender athletes have had an unfair advantage on an Alabama team.
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“We need to stop pretending that protecting sports is what it’s all about. You’re trying to keep transgender youth isolated and secluded,” Walker said.
Forty Republican lawmakers in the 105-member House of Representatives have signed on to co-sponsor the bill. The proposed ban would affect both intercollegiate and intramural athletic teams.
The Biden administration this month proposed a rule, which is still awaiting a lengthy approval process, to ban an outright ban on transgender athletes.
