The Wyoming Senate gave strong support to a controversial bill that would no longer allow transgender girls and women compete in women’s sports. Senate file 51 would impact both high school and intercollegate sports. But Senators who are also attorney’s warned the case will go to court and lose. Cheyenne Senators Affie Ellis and Tara Nethercott said previous court cases have rejected similar laws. Casper Sen. Charles Scott said he’s confident the state would prevail.
“I have a great deal of confidence in our court system that as in cases in similar bills, that common sense will prevail and they’ll see the unfairness that letting people who are essentially men who compete as women creates,” said Scott.
Currently the Wyoming Activities Association works with local schools to regulate transgender athletes participation. Minority leader Chris Rothfuss said they’ve done this for eight years without a problem. The bill puts the issue in state hands rather than at the local level. Evanston Sen. Wendy Schuler said she wants women athletes to compete on a level playing field. Lander Sen. Cale Case called the bill “mean.” It will be debated two more times.
