The Republican-controlled Mississippi State Senate on Thursday passed a bill banning transgender athletes from participating in girls’ or women’s sports in public schools and universities.
According to The Associated Press, the Senate approved the measure in a vote of 34-9.
The legislation is the latest effort by state legislators across the country to impose restrictions for transgender youth in athletics, as well as gender-affirming health care.
“I’ve had countless coaches across the state who have called me thinking they feel there is a need for a policy in Mississippi because they are starting to worry about dealing with this,” said Senator Angela Hill (R). The sponsor of the bill said Thursday.
The AP reported that there was little discussion within the Senate prior to the vote. The bill now goes to the House, where Republicans also hold the majority.
President Biden signed an implementing decree on his first day of work to prohibit discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation in school sports, at work and in other situations.
Several conservatives have opposed the injunction, arguing that schools receiving federal funding will be needed to enable transgender athletes to compete on women’s sports teams. The White House had denied that claim.
Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves (R) criticized Biden’s executive branch in a series of tweets earlier this month he wrote that he was “disappointed with President Biden’s actions to force young girls … to compete with biological men for access to athletics. “
Reeves, who has three daughters, added that Biden’s order “will limit the opportunities for so many competitors like my daughters. It’s bad policy and it’s wrong for America. “
My girls practice tirelessly. They work hard. They’ve learned how to win and yes, they’ve learned what it feels like to be on the wrong side of the final score. It’s real bond – my happiest and proudest dad moments.
– Tate Reeves (@tatereeves) February 4, 2021
I don’t understand why politicians force children to transgenderism in the first place. I certainly don’t understand why the president chose to make it a priority. And my heart breaks for the young women across America who will lose out in this radical social experiment.
– Tate Reeves (@tatereeves) February 4, 2021
The human rights campaign On Wednesday, he condemned the bills advanced in Mississippi and other states regarding access to health care and sports participation for transgender people.
These bills do not address a real problem, and they are not demanded by voters, ”the LGBTQ advocacy group said in a statement. “Rather, this effort is being driven by national far-right organizations seeking to instill fear and hatred.”
The North Dakota State House on Thursdays accepted an account that would prohibit young transgender athletes from joining teams that match their gender identity. The bill, which is now going to the Senate, also prohibits sporting events from receiving government funding if they allow a trans athlete to play on a team that matches their gender identity.