COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Missouri lawmakers on Tuesday took up a bill to ban transgender girls and women from competing in female only sports, an issue that has become flashpoint this election year.
The proposal, debated in a Senate education committee, would only apply to transgender girls and women. Transgender boys and men would still be allowed to compete against other males.
Students who feel like they’ve been hurt by a violation of the bill would be able to sue schools or sports organizations.
Republican proponents are pitching the bill, nicknamed the Save Women’s Sports Act, as a way to protect female athletes. Backers told committee members that men are naturally more physically capable, so it’s unfair for transgender girls and women to compete in female only sports.
“When you’re talking transgender (fe)males playing in a female sport, that competitive edge still exists,” he said.
Democrats and other critics pushed back against the argument that the legislation would do anything to help women’s sports.
