Physicians, Athletic Bodies Cite Science, Record of Success in Defending Inclusive Policies
Sophomore Julie Katz speaks against HB 358 during Wednesday’s hearing.
Julie Katz came to Raleigh Wednesday to speak directly to the lawmakers who want to exclude her from women’s sports.
A 16-year-old transgender girl from Greensboro, Katz has been a gymnast, played tennis and volleyball all, so far, without incident.
But House Bill 358 would bar transgender women from playing women’s intramural, public school, university sports in North Carolina. “Like all kids who love to be active, I have the right to play,” Katz said at a Wednesday hearing on the bill. “I’m better than some, not as talented as many. This bill says I can’t even sit on the bench.”
N C Bill Targeting Transgender Athletes Receives Hearing
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Letter: Women s hard-won rights should not be discarded for trans rights
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AP Photo/Andrew Harnik
On Thursday, the House of Representatives passedH.R. 5, “The Equality Act.” Three Republicans joined with every single Democrat to support the bill, which now moves to the Senate. The bill will require 60 votes to pass in the Senate, due to the filibuster. Conservatives and other Americans concerned about the act should reach out to their senators and urge them to oppose the bill.
The bill would amend federal law to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, among other things. It would expand the arenas in which non-discrimination law applies and explicitly gut religious freedom protections.