On Tuesday, the House of Representatives approved a Republican measure with 218 votes in favor, banning transgender girls from competing in school sports teams that do not correspond to their genetic identity. This measure, known as the “Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act,” marks a further development of a central issue in the 2024 political campaign.
The bill proposes amending Title IX, the federal law that prohibits sex discrimination in schools, by redefining the term “sex” exclusively based on reproductive biology and genetics at birth. Schools that allow transgender students to join athletic teams designated for women risk losing federal funding.
Florida Republican Representative Greg Steube, the sponsor of the bill, stated that the majority of Americans believe men do not belong in women’s sports and that “common sense should prevail.”
According to an analysis by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 3% of high school students identify as transgender. However, recent surveys indicate that many Americans do not support this issue, and about half of the states have already introduced regulations limiting participation.
In 2023, House Republicans had already passed a similar measure, without Democratic support. At that time, the Democrat-controlled Senate blocked the measure.
During the debate, Republicans argued that transgender athletes have biological advantages that put the safety and fairness of women’s sports at risk. In contrast, opponents criticized the measure for its potential discriminatory and invasive effects.
The fate of the bill remains uncertain; although it passed in the House, the debate in the Senate is expected to be heated. The issue, which intertwines themes of justice and civil rights will continue for a long time.
