Texas Senate Passes Bill That Will Prevent Transgender Student Athletes From Participating In Sports

Texas Passes Bill Prohibiting Transgender Student Athletes From Participating In Sports

Texas legislature recently passed a bill that will prevent school transgender athletes from participating in sports based on their gender identity, according to KHOU.

The new bill, titled House Bill 25, states transgender student-athletes will be only be permitted to play sports based on their assigned gender at birth.

On Friday, HB 25 is expected to be approved by the House and signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott after a vote of 19-12 by the state Senate after it was written by Rep. Valoree Swanson, R-Swing.

“Historically, boys participate in interscholastic athletics at a higher rate than girls, and a noticeable disparity continues between the athletic participation rates of students who are girls and students who are boys in University Interscholastic League member schools; courts have recognized a legitimate and important governmental interest in redressing past discrimination against girls in athletics on the basis of sex and promoting equality of athletic opportunity between the sexes under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.” the bill reads.

Before the votes, Democrats argued that the bill could possibly have long-term effects on transgender youth due to them being more vulnerable to bullying and suicidal thoughts.

Critics of the legislation say it unfairly targets transgender children but supporters call it “basic biology and common sense.”