State lawmakers from several states signed a letter to President Joe Biden on Monday criticizing a new Title IX proposal that would allow for some restrictions for transgender athletes.
The new proposal would prohibit public K-12 and college schools from imposing “categorical” bans on transgender athletes, but would allow for some exceptions for sex-based criteria to be used depending on the sport, grade and competition level, according to the text. The 14 state lawmakers, who identify as transgender or nonbinary, argued that there cannot be a “compromise that limits transgender Americans access to equal rights,” according to a copy posted to Twitter by Democratic Montana state Rep. Zooey Zephyr. (RELATED: Olympians, Professional Athletes Sign Letter Opposing Federal Bill To Keep Men Out Of Women’s Sports)
“Trans athletes belong in sports. Full stop,” the lawmakers wrote. “For those who have transitioned, we understand the hard work it takes to not only dedicate yourself to a sport, but to succeed in it. We applaud all trans athletes and are proud of everything they have accomplished. Their inclusion should be welcomed, and the successes of trans athletes should be celebrated.”
The Biden administration proposal acknowledged that single-sex athletic teams are necessary to ensure fair competition, but the lawmakers argue that the concern is a “false narrative,” according to the letter. They implore the administration to consider why transgender athletes are “underrepresented” in participation and scholarships.
“We urge the Biden administration to revise this proposed policy in a way that allows trans people to fully participate in the sports of their choosing, and does not perpetuate unfounded and harmful claims about trans athletes,” the letter reads. “Revisions should be made in conjunction with a wide array of transgender legislators, lawyers, and activists, and the new proposed policy language should begin with the presumption of full inclusion for transgender athletes and should provide a pathway for participation in all levels of sports.”
Today 14 trans & nonbinary legislators expressed our concern to President Biden regarding the proposed Title IX policy change.
Trans people belong in sports. Policies must begin with the presumption of full inclusion & provide a pathway for participation in all levels of sports. pic.twitter.com/pxlDNHihKD
— Rep. Zooey Zephyr (@ZoAndBehold) April 10, 2023
A majority of Americans do not support biological male athletes competing in female sports, a Summit.org and McLaughlin and Associates poll revealed. Approximately 60% of respondents believe that allowing male athletes to compete in female divisions is harmful.
There have been 20 states that have adopted some type of ban on transgender athletes to promote single-sex athletics, the lawmakers wrote in the letter. More red states began pushing for laws to safeguard women’s sports after Lia Thomas, a former swimmer at the University of Pennsylvania, transitioned to the women’s team and won multiple championship titles during the 2021-2022 season.
The Title IX regulation will be open to public comment for 30 days after being published in the Federal Register, according to the Department of Education.
Zephyr and the White House did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.
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