GLAAD STATEMENT ON PASSAGE OF ANTI-TRANSGENDER SPORTS BILL IN U.S. HOUSE

(New York, NY – April 20, 2023) – Today members of the U.S. House voted on party lines in favor of HR 734, the so-called “Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act” which would prohibit transgender girls from participating in school sports, claiming that doing so would be a violation of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.

Sarah Kate Ellis (she/her/hers), President and CEO of GLAAD, released the following statement:

“Legislators who voted today in favor of banning transgender girls from participating in school sports should be ashamed of themselves. Right now, gun violence is the number one cause of death to American children, yet extremist lawmakers ignore this reality to push bills that further endanger and isolate LGBTQ youth who just want to be themselves and play with their friends. Legislators have an obligation to stand up for all, not just some, of their constituents. Allowing students to participate in sports is about equal opportunity, the ability to make friends and belong, and stay active, healthy and happy. Young transgender people should not have to watch lawmakers debate their basic humanity. Legislators must meet with transgender youth, their families, teammates, and coaches who would be harmed by this dangerous legislation; propose ways to protect all youth; and stop pushing anti-LGBTQ discrimination in a phony attempt to protect women and girls. Protect all kids and let them play.”

Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Education released a proposed Title IX rule stating that there should be no restrictions on transgender kids playing sports with their friends from kindergarten through eighth grade; and that overall bans on allowing transgender youth to participate in sports are unlawful. Public comment period on the rule will run through May 15.

There are currently more than 500 anti-LGBTQ bills pending in state legislatures, with nearly 380 bills specifically targeting transgender people. This year already, legislators in states such as Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Mississippi, Utah, Tennessee, and South Dakota pushed forward anti-transgender health care bans. Tennessee’s governor signed the first drag ban in the nation. In Kansas and North Dakota, state legislatures enacted bans on allowing transgender students to participate in school sports. GLAAD recently launched a new action tool, www.glaad.org/actnow, to connect constituents to their state legislators.

Reporters can access more resources on covering transgender participation in sports through GLAAD’s Media Reference Guide: https://www.glaad.org/reference/sports.