While the many controversies arise within the past year, LGBTQ+ community are pulled into another dispute. On April 23, Alabama becomes one of the first states to ban transgender girls from participating in women sports.

Alabama’s Reason

Reasoning that Alabama is one of the conservative states, Republican Governor Kay Ivey signs a legislation bill against transgender women. According to The Guardian Magazine, “a public K-12 school ‘may never allow a biological male to participate on female teams.’” The HB 391 bill supporters agree that transgender women tend to be stronger and faster than the biological female. This results in a hindrance in competitive women’s sports. While supporters argue the disadvantages, their opponents sense the sexual and educational discrimination within the education system and LGBTQ+ community. Human Rights President Alphonso David expresses his thoughts regarding this decision. He says, “HB 391 is nothing more than a politically motivated bill designed to discriminate against an already vulnerable population.” David adds, “…transgender children are children. They deserve the same opportunity to learn valuable skills of teamwork, sportsmanship and healthy competition with their peers.”

With the State House voting 74-19, and Senate House voting 25-5, Alabama moves forward to passing this bill. Republican Garlan Gudger of Cullman believes the unfairness of biological males to compete and defeat females in their sport. Stating the bill to protect the integrity of female athletic programs, this may cause a rift throughout the sports world. As Alabama controls its reigns, they are not the only state considering this bill. Idaho was the first state to pass the ban, receiving serious legal disputes. In March, Governor of Mississippi Tate Reeves agreed to sign and ban transgender athletes from joining girls or women teams. Although Democratic Governor of Kansas, Laura Kelly vetoed a similar bill, 30 other states are considering this proposal.

Florida Shadows Alabama

Last Thursday, Governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis announces to sign and ban transgender females from competing in women’s sports. Most of the Democratic lawmakers and equalists oppose said ban, deeming it unnecessary and discriminatory. According to Fox News Town Hall speech, DeSantis expresses “to protect our girls” to many red state governors. He compares his two athletically driven young daughters to this issue. “We want to have opportunities for our girls. They deserve an even playing field, and that’s what we’re doing.” This bill states the ban of transgender females from playing women and girls scholastic sports in Florida. In addition, this ban does not apply to elementary school children or transgender males to male sports. This pertains to schools, not requiring or allowing medical examinations of student’s genitals, in order to be eligible to participate.

Advancing, these measures claim to protect women within their sports, but have a risk of not participating in future events. According to Tampa Bay Times, NCAA voices caution of championship events being held in locations that are “free of discrimination.” A released statement says, “We will continue to closely monitor these situations to determine whether NCAA championships can be conducted in ways that are welcoming and respectful of all participants.” Regulating collegiate athletics, NCAA still require transgender women to receive medical drug treatments to lower testosterone levels before competing. Along with these guidelines, they are working to keep a safe and welcoming environment in athletics.