State legislative Republicans go with hate and fear in anti-equality bill targeting transgender youth

The anti-equality, transphobic legislation proposed by Wisconsin legislative Republicans to ban transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports in college and at every grade level is divisive, hateful and unnecessary.

Our children deserve to be treated with fairness, dignity and without stigma. They also DO deserve to be allowed to participate in sports no matter their gender identity, gender expression and status, and I strongly believe transgender individuals should have the same opportunities in life across the board as all other citizens.

It is noteworthy that the Republicans’ legislation goes against guidance from high school and collegiate sports associations, and that none other than the NCAA has allowed transgender athletes who have undergone hormone treatment to be able to compete. Globally, the International Olympic Committee has permitted transgender athletes to compete for two decades!

Additionally, under Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association policies, transgender girls may participate on girls’ teams if they have had one year of testosterone suppression therapy. It is common knowledge that just because an athlete is transgender means little in competition, and trans athletes do not have a competitive advantage (despite the dishonest rhetoric we are hearing from state GOP legislators).

Athletics is supposed to build character, teamwork, dedication and fair play, yet what we are seeing in this proposed legislation is everything that goes against those values.

I urge all legislators in Madison to oppose this hateful and unnecessary junk legislation.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.