Michigan bill would ban transgender student athletes from playing on teams associated with gender identity
Michigan is one of more than 20 states introducing a bill
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LANSING, Mich. – Michigan joined more than 20 states that have recently introduced legislation that would ban high school transgender students athletes from playing on teams associated with their gender identity.
Senate Bill 218 aims to prohibit a transgender boy from playing on a boys team as well as transgender girls playing on girls teams. The bill was introduced by Sen. Lana Theis (R-Brighton) and co-sponsored by 12 other GOP senators, including Rep. Jim Runestad (R-White Lake).
“You compete with the other athletes of your biology. In these situations and that is what’s fair. What is not fair is having biological boys, taking scholarships and positions and awards,” Runestad said.
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Deadnaming transgender students in North Carolina may be a thing of the past, thanks to a recent decision to show only the chosen names of trans youth on most school records.
In April 2020, 300 advocates â including students, parents, and educators â signed an open letter to State Superintendent Mark Johnson explaining the dangers of âoutingâ students without their consent. According to the petition, LGBTQ+ students in North Carolina already face high rates of bullying and violence at school. Around 90% regularly hear hate speech, while 1 out of 3 have experienced verbal harassment and 1 out of 3 have been targeted with physical harassment.
Signatories said one way to address the high rates of discrimination queer and trans students face is by allowing their to use their correct names at school. A 2020 study found that the ability to correct an individualâs name and gender marker on IDs driverâs licenses, and other official documents were 25% les
The NCAA has had policies in place since 2011 that allow for transgender participation in sports.
The letter was the idea of track and field athletes Aliya Schenck and Alana Bojar of Washington University in St. Louis, who work with Athlete Ally. Athletes from across the different college sports signed on to the effort.
“All student-athletes should be safe and protected when competing in NCAA championships,” the two said in a statement. “Your silence on this issue is only allowing more states to pass these bills. We urge you to act now and make a strong statement against these bills, saying that the NCAA will not host championships in states that openly discriminate against LGBTQI+ athletes.”
An Alabama legislative committee is holding a public hearing on a bill that would make it a felony to treat transgender youth with puberty-blockers, hormone therapy or surgery.