TRANSGENDER BILLS - Legislation in Texas that would’ve prevented transgender students from competing on school sports teams that align with their gender identity has stalled. Senate Bill 29 failed to make it out of the Texas House Public Education Committee. Several Democrats blasted the Republican-backed measure. 75th District State Representative Mary González described the bill as a solution in search of a problem.
"We don't need this piece of legislation,” Gonzalez said. “The consequences of this legislation could literally off the rails, and that's not going to be helpful to the House, to the future, and most importantly to kids."
A number of states are considering or have passed GOP measures that restrict transgender athletes. One of those states is Louisiana. State Rep. Beryl Amedée of Houma explained the purpose of her House Bill 542.
This bill does not prohibit anyone from participating in athletic events," Amedée explained. "It only requires that if you're going to participate on a team that's designated for females that you be biologically female."
Those who testified against the legislation said the bill’s passage would only serve to marginalize transgender youth. Dr. Nithya Ravidran, a Child Psychiatrist from Tulane said it could possibly cause even more harm.
"All gender identities and expressions are not inherently pathological but discrimination and stigma against trans-kids places them at higher risk of mental illness and suicide."Ravidran explained.
The Louisiana High School Athletic Association’s position on the matter is for student athletes to compete in the gender of their birth certificate unless they have undergone sex reassignment. The Louisiana House Education Committee voted 5 for and 6 against Amedee’s bill, refusing to advance the measure to the full House. But another similar bill Senate Bill 156 cleared the Senate yesterday by a 29 -6 vote with four Democrats joining Republicans in support. That measure is likely to go to the same House Committee that rejected Amedee’s bill.. Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards said he opposes legislation that targets transgender youth. Thirty-one state assemblies across the nation are considering similar legislation to exclude transgender youth from school athletics. Three of those bills – in Mississippi, Tennessee, and Arkansas – have been approved and signed into law, Arkansas also has also become the first state to outlaw gender-affirming treatment for trans youth.
