Banning real men from competing in women’s sports is now sweeping the nation

Governor of Wyoming Mark Gordon He allowed a bill biologically banning men from participating in women’s sports to become law without his signature, but he’s not happy about it.

The Republican governor said he was worried Senate Bill 0133 is “overly strict” and measurement As a solution to looking for problems in a state with about 91,000 students and just four known transgender athletes.

“Firstly, while I support and agree with the overall goal of fairness in competitive sport, I believe that the prohibitions contained in this law are overly stringent and require attention to individual circumstances and mitigating factors. is discriminatory and pays little attention to fundamentals: the principle of equality,” said Mr. Gordon said on friday letter.

Sponsored by Republican State Senator Wendy Schuler former Distinguished Athletes and Coaches, the bill requires schools to designate teams based on gender, defining gender as “as determined by an individual’s genetics and anatomy at birth, male or female. The biological and physical state of being a woman.”

“Male students must not compete, and public schools must not allow male students to compete in athletic activities or teams designated for female students,” the bill states. Grades 7-12 stated to apply.

Effective July 1, the measure will prohibit male athletes from training or practicing with women’s teams unless women are deprived of team or sport registration slots, opportunities to practice or compete, scholarships, or admissions. “educational institutions” or other interests. ”

The human rights campaign and the American Civil Liberties Union were pressing Trump. Gordon Veto the bill and warn against lawsuits if the bill becomes law.

“Governor. Gordon We had an opportunity to do the right thing for children in Wyoming who just want to play sports and have fun with their friends,” HRC State Legislative Director Kathryn Oakley said Saturday. statement.

By law, Wyoming becomes 19th state The issue is gaining momentum as male-born athletes like former college swimmer Leah Thomas win titles in women’s sports.

Several of these states have been sued by transgender athletes, but in January a federal judge upheld West Virginia’s Save Women’s Sports Act, stating that “transgender girls are biologically male.” , found that “biological males are generally superior to females in athletic performance.”

In a Jan. 5 opinion, U.S. District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin said, “States are permitted to establish sports rules on this basis because sex and the physical characteristics resulting therefrom are , because it has a lot to do with athletic performance and fairness in sport.” .

Last week, Democratic Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed the Women’s Sports Act fairness for the third time, setting up a possible veto override in the House of Representatives. SenateRepublicans hold a two-thirds majority with no veto.

The Wyoming bill passed overwhelmingly, passing the House earlier this month by a vote of 55-10-1.of Senate Agreed with a vote of 27-3-1.

“Understanding the political realities that prolong these highly divisive debates, I am willing to pass this into law without my signature.” Gordon“I reiterate my belief that hate and discrimination have no place in Wyoming.”

Schuler, who has been a school teacher and coach in several sports for 40 years, member of the National High School Hall of Fame and the Wyoming Coaches Hall of Fame. Last year, it reintroduced a bill that failed to reach a seat in the House of Representatives.

“I’m not against students having to do what they’re supposed to do, I’m just against men competing with biological women,” she said. of Cowboy State Daily.