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Bill to ban transgender women from sports passes a legislative committee

Sen. Chris Rothfuss speaks on the Senate floor
Bob Beck
/
Wyoming Public Media
Sen. Chris Rothfuss speaks on the Senate floor

The Wyoming Senate education committee voted 3-2 to recommend moving forward with a bill that would ban transgender girls and women from playing on female athletics teams.

Evanston Sen. Wendy Schuler said she sponsored Senate File 51 to keep athletic competition fair for women. She notes that she was denied an opportunity to play women’s sports prior to the passage of Title IV and doesn’t want problems for this generation of girls and women.

“Let’s keep it fair for our biological girls and women, let’s let them continue to have the same opportunities that I was denied years ago, but I finally got and now they should continue to have those,” said Schuler. “They shouldn’t have to worry if two or three guys are going to identify next year as females and take our places.”

Laramie Sen. Chris Rothfuss noted the Wyoming Activities Association already has a policy that allows districts to make the best decisions regarding transgender athletes. He said the bill would change that for the worse.

“This is a thou shalt not. This is us taking away the flexibility and the thoughtfulness of the process we currently have,” said Rothfuss. “Passing down a one size fits all solution for all school districts to abide by, that very dramatically and specifically sides with one viewpoint. That doesn’t in any way support our trans community (or) their desires to compete.”

Committee Chairman Charles Scott said it’s clear that biological males have an advantage over females. The bill goes to the Senate floor for further debate.

Bob Beck retired from Wyoming Public Media after serving as News Director of Wyoming Public Radio for 34 years. During his time as News Director WPR has won over 100 national, regional and state news awards.
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