US House passes bill banning transgender athletes from women’s sports – World News

The US House of Representatives voted on Tuesday to pass a Republican-led bill that would ban transgender athletes from participating in women’s and girls’ sports at federally funded schools and educational institutions. The legislation, titled the “Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act”, now heads to the GOP-controlled Senate for consideration.

The House vote was 218-206, with two Democrats — Reps. Vicente Gonzalez and Henry Cuellar of Texas — joining Republicans in favor of the bill. Rep. Don Davis of North Carolina voted “present”.

The bill seeks to amend federal law to require that “sex shall be recognised based solely on a person’s reproductive biology and genetics at birth” for compliance with Title IX in athletics. It would prohibit transgender women and girls from competing on teams consistent with their gender identity.

According to the legislative text, the bill does not bar institutions from allowing male athletes to train or practice with women’s teams as long as no female athlete is deprived of opportunities, roster spots, scholarships or other benefits. However, the Education Committee’s fact sheet clarified that federal education funding recipients would violate Title IX by allowing individuals assigned male at birth to compete in women’s or girls’ athletic programs.

The debate over transgender athletes has become a contentious issue in US politics, with Republicans arguing that transgender women may hold a physical advantage over cisgender women, potentially limiting opportunities for others.

Democrats have criticised the bill, claiming it exacerbates discrimination against transgender individuals, particularly trans youth. They argue that such legislation undermines LGBTQ rights and fosters an environment of exclusion.

Transgender rights, especially regarding sports participation, have been a flashpoint in recent years. While about 3% of American high school students identify as transgender, 25 states have already enacted laws limiting transgender athletes’ participation in school sports, according to the Movement Advancement Project, a think tank advocating for transgender rights.

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) currently determines rules for transgender athletes on a sport-by-sport basis, taking guidance from global sports governing bodies.

Republican Rep. Greg Steube of Florida, who introduced the bill, framed it as necessary to protect fairness in women’s sports. However, critics see it as part of a broader conservative push to curtail LGBTQ rights.