Utah Lawmakers Override Veto To Ban Transgender Students From Playing In Girls Sports

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But in a statement defending the bill on Tuesday, Utah Senate President J. Stuart Adams said “biological boys are built differently than girls.”

“We must work to preserve the integrity of women’s sports and ensure it remains fair and safe for all,” Adams added. “While Gov. Cox and I disagree on this bill, I respect the legislative process. We have been listening to our constituents, talking with experts, and we feel it’s important to make decisions now that protect athletes and ensure women are not edged out of their sport.”

Rep. Kera Birkeland, who introduced the bill in January, also defended the legislation. Birkeland, who coaches high school basketball, said on the podcast Straight Talk With Kim & Carolyn that when her team plays transgender athletes, her players are “off mentally.”

“The girls are like, ‘Number one, we feel guilty that we’re unhappy that they’re here.’ We’ve created a society where women have to hold back. We’ve seen this,” she said. “The girls are like, ‘This isn’t right. It’s not fair. We don’t think we should have to play when it’s not fair.'”

Birkeland did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In a statement, Sam Ames, director of advocacy and government affairs at the Trevor Project, a suicide prevention and mental health organization for LGBTQ youth, condemned the veto override.

“This bill focuses on a problem of ‘fairness’ in school sports that simply does not exist — but its negative impacts on the mental health and well-being of trans and nonbinary youth are very real,” Ames said. “These youth already face disproportionate rates of bullying, depression, and suicide risk, and bills like this one will only make matters worse.”

There have also been warnings that Utah could experience economic fallout as a result of the bill, including possibly losing out on next year’s NBA All-Star Game. Utah Jazz owner expressed his opposition to the bill on Twitter, saying, “We need to love these kids.”

“This bill was rushed, flawed, and won’t hold up over time,” he added. “I’m hopeful we can find a better way.”

The US National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255. The Trevor Project, which provides help and suicide-prevention resources for LGBTQ youth, is 1-866-488-7386. Find other international suicide helplines at Befrienders Worldwide (befrienders.org).

Source: https://www.buzzfeed.com/paigeskinner/utah-transgender-athletes-girls-sports

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