Tulsi Gabbard, Democratic Rep. Of Hawaii introduced into the House a bill that would provide Title IX protections to female athletes based on their biological sex. This is a term that is used for referring to the gender assigned to somebody at birth. Advocates have termed this as transphobic. Title IX prevents discrimination on the ground of sex in an activity or educational program receiving federal funding. One of its requirements is that sports programming for women deserves equal support as the men’s programming. Tulsi Gabbard is towards the end of the Congressional term and introduced this bill with Markwayne Mullin, Republican Rep. of Oklahoma. In September, Kelly Loeffler, Republican Senator, Georgia, introduced the same bill in the Senate.
Why Was Such A Bill Introduced By Tulsi Gabbard?
Tulsi Gabbard stated that some states are weakening Title IX by misinterpreting it which is creating lost opportunities and undue hardship for female players. Her bill is for protecting the original intent of Title IX which was based on the biological distinction among women and male athletes according to their sex. Rep. Mullin stated that Title IX intended to provide girls and women with equal chances for succeeding in sports. Allowing males to play in the sports of women disregards that equality. It diminishes Title IX’s original intent. Yet the advocates are arguing that the bill’s introduction is directly against such commitments.
Numerous legislatures of states have tried passing legislation prohibiting girls and transwomen from taking part in sports teams of females. Brad Little, Idaho Gov. passed an act in March that declares no male students can participate in female sports and if a dispute arises, it can be resolved by presenting a physician’s statement declaring the student’s sex. One federal judge declared the law as void in March declaring that the state has an invalid interest. The ACLU posted on Twitter that Trans people can also take part in sports.
