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The North Dakota House has approved a measure that would prohibit transgender athletes from competing on teams that do not match their birth gender.
Supporters of the measure said it’s designed to protect girls from having to compete against boys who they say are physiologically stronger and faster than girls. They argued it strengthens the enforcement of Title IX of federal education standards, that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any federally funded activity.
"This is about girls competing with girls, insuring equal opportunity, and keeping a level playing field in girls' sports," said Rep. Kathy Skroch (R-Lidgerwood), a co-sponor of the measure. "It upholds 50 years of progress in protecting women against discrimination, and advocates for the preservation of the biological base standards for female sports competitition."