The Georgia state Senate has passed legislation banning transgender girls from playing on girls’ sports teams in schools. The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Greg Dolezal, emphasized the importance of recognizing female sports and excluding male advantage. The bill must still pass through the House and be signed by Gov. Brian Kemp before becoming law. House Speaker Jon Burns has also proposed a similar ban on transgender girls playing girls’ sports. The bill has sparked controversy and criticism from the transgender community, with many feeling targeted and excluded from participating in sports.
Transgender athlete Soju Hokari expressed disappointment at being barred from playing for Emory University under the proposed law. Advocates argue that leagues already have appropriate mechanisms in place to ensure fairness and inclusion, making state intervention unnecessary. Democrats have criticized the bill as a solution in search of a problem, while Republicans cite incidents like swimmer Riley Gaines competing against transgender athletes as reasons for the ban.
Ultimately, the bill aims to separate sports based on biological sex, with restrictions on puberty blockers and hormone therapy for minors also being proposed. Evangelical conservative group Frontline Policy has advocated for an expanded transgender sports ban, supporting both the House and Senate bills. As the bill moves forward in the legislative process, the debate over transgender inclusion in sports continues to be a contentious issue in Georgia.
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