photo by Dave Williams
Austin (WBAP/KLIF) – While state legislature dealt with the sudden departure of dozens of House Democrats on Monday, a state Senate panel advanced a two transgender sports bills.
The bills would would require transgender student athletes to compete in sports corresponding to their gender at birth instead of their gender identity.
Proponents say the bills, sponsored by State Senator Charles Perry (R/Lubbock) insure fair competition; opponents say they will further stigmatize transgender athletes and increase suicides.
The issue failed to pass during the regular session; Gov. Abbott added it to the special session, along with election security and 9 other priority items.
Last month, the US Department of Education said discrimination based on a student’s sexual orientation or gender identity will be treated as a violation of Title 9, a decades old federal law that bans sex discrimination in education.
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