NFL
By: Zachary Draves
This week a congressional committee in Washington DC decided that it was time to put all their focus into something that is keeping the American people up at night in a cold sweat.
Jobs? The Debt Ceiling? National Security? Crime? No, transgender athletes.
On Wednesday, the House Committee on Education and the Workforce began debates on H.R. 734 otherwise known as the so-called “Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act” which, if enacted, would ensure that compliance with Title IX would include a federal ban on the participation of transgender and intersex women and girls in sports.
This is the latest example of what has become an outright obsession on the part of far right-wing politicians, commentators, and activists to severely restrict the rights of the LGBTQ+ community and in particular the transgender community. At least 385 bills of similar fashion have been introduced across the country this year ranging from prohibiting drag performances to banning gender affirming care for LGBTQ+ youth to banning trans women and girls in sports.
(Courtesy: Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
The latter of which has occurred in 18 states and this week lawmakers in Ohio and Kansas have introduced legislation that would follow suit. Proponents of these bills have argued that they are interested in “protecting women’s sports” from “biological males” who possess an “inherent competitive advantage”.
However, research and policies have shown that this couldn’t be further from the truth.
A 2021 study conducted by the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport found that transgender women athletes, who have undergone testosterone suppression, don’t possess an inherent competitive advantage over cis gender women athletes. Among other findings was that there is limited evidence that testosterone suppression affects overall athletic performance and that efforts to restrict transgender participation in sports is in continuation of historical exclusion of women in sport.
That same year, the International Olympic Committee (IOC), in conjunction with LGBTQ+ athletic organizations, broke new ground with their guidelines on “Fairness, Inclusion and Non-Discrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity and Sex Variations”. The framework provides guidance to sport governing bodies on how to include transgender, non-binary, and intersex athletes with the knowledge that any concern over “unfair advantages” are not based in reality based on the IOC’s own conclusions from a March 2020 analysis.
So if these elected officials actually took the time and did the research, they would realize that they are making a whole lot out of nothing.
Furthermore, if they are really interested in protecting women’s sports, then they would speak out and address the actual threats to women’s sports. Among those threats include unequal pay, inadequate resources, and physical/sexual abuse. Plus, they would be actively heralding the women in the WNBA, NWSL, PHF, WTA, and WPGA for all their contributions. They would have season tickets, keep up with the players, and attend every game/match they can like a true fan would.
If they aren’t willing to acknowledge these truths and be the biggest fans of women’s sports in the right way, then they have no leg to stand on.
Plus at the end of the day, don’t these politicians have anything better to focus on? Weren’t they elected to do the people’s work? To grow the economy and keep us safe from all enemies foreign and domestic?
Those are questions to ask H.R. 734’s lead sponsor, Florida Congressman Greg Steube (R-17). His state is currently in the midst of ubiquitous sociopolitical concerns. A property insurance crisis where interest rates are astronomical, four million Flordian children (56%) living in or near poverty, an education system that is drastically falling short and lacking teachers, and a health care system that has become increasingly unaffordable for many.
How does this H.R. 734 help anyone wrestling with these issues?
The people of Florida deserve better than someone who seems to not be meeting the needs of his own constituents and willing to engage in bogus culture wars that inflict harm on a vulnerable population.
(Courtesy: Carly Henry/The Arizona Republic)
Sports are supposed to be safe spaces from abuse, discrimination, and harassment. A place to showcase talent and to enjoy all its physical, social, and emotional benefits. This gross attempt at trying to deny that to kids will ultimately backfire because voters will see that those who control the reigns of power are not serious about doing their jobs.
What the people want is very simple. To be able to put food on the table, keep a roof over their head, and to keep the lights on, not H.R. 734.
