Florida’s Gov. DeSantis To Sign Bill Banning Biological Males From Competing In Girls Sports
Florida is inching closer to becoming the latest state to ban biological males from being able to compete against biological females in women’s sports.
Republican Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida said he intends to sign a measure restricting girls sports to biologically-born females only in order to protect women — who will be put at a disadvantage once biological males are allowed to compete with them in sports.
“Governor DeSantis, a bill of a similar nature is about to cross your desk,” Fox News host Laura Ingraham asked DeSantis during a town hall event. “Are you going to sign it?”
“Oh, yes. We’re going to protect our girls,” the Florida governor responded.
“I have a four-year-old daughter and a one-year-old daughter, and they’re very athletic. And we want to have opportunities for our girls,” DeSantis noted, adding that “they deserve an even playing field.”
“That’s what we’re doing, with what Mississippi did, with what Florida did, and I know what other states are going to do. So, I look forward to being able to sign that into law,” he added.
Gov. Ron DeSantis on protecting girls from having to compete against biological boys in sports: “We’re going to protect our girls.” pic.twitter.com/9KytnM4z3u
— (((Jason Rantz))) on KTTH Radio (@jasonrantz) May 3, 2021
The US has seen a growing number of states seeking to ban transgender biological males from competing in women’s sports recently citing the need to protect women in sports due to “inherent physical differences” between biological males and biological females.
Alabama, North Carolina, Mississippi, Arkansas and Tennessee all passed their versions of a “Fairness Act” in a bid to ensure a “fair playing field in sports.” South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem has also issued an executive order to bar transgender girls from girls’ sports leagues.
Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves, who enacted legislation to protect female athletes back in March, told Ingraham during the same town hall that biological males shouldn’t compete with biological females in opportunities.
“This is an issue I’m passionate about. And the reason I’m passionate about it is because I have a 16-year-old daughter, a 14-year-old daughter, and a nine-year-old daughter. And they play basketball, and they play soccer, and they play every sport they could possibly play.”
“And the reality is, biological males should not be allowed to compete with them for athletic scholarships.”
“They should not be allowed to be able to compete with them for opportunities.”
Republican Governor Kim Reynolds of Iowa also committed to signing a similar proposal reiterating how letting biologically-born males compete with females in sports is “not fair.”
“I’m going to do what is right for my state. I’m going to do what’s right for girls. I’m a mom of three daughters and a grandmother of three granddaughters who compete. And it’s the right to do. They should have the same opportunities. And we’re working on legislation, too. I should have that to my desk by, hopefully at the end of this legislative session, and we’ll be signing that bill.”
Biden tells trans people: “Your president has your back”
Meanwhile, Democratic President Joe Biden ramped up his support for transgenders during his first address before the joint Congress last week as more and more states seek to push bills restricting the participation of biological born males in women’s sports.
"To all transgender Americans watching at home, especially young people, you're so brave. I want you to know your president has your back."
President Biden calls on Congress to pass the Equality Act to protect the rights of LGBTQ Americans. pic.twitter.com/drX3ydHwUo
— BuzzFeed News (@BuzzFeedNews) April 29, 2021
“I also hope Congress will get to my desk the Equality Act to protect LGBTQ Americans. To all transgender Americans watching at home — especially young people, who are so brave — I want you to know your president has your back,” Biden said at one point of his speech.
There are currently over 200 anti-LGBTQ bills under consideration across at least 30 states, with more than half of these bills targeting transgender people,
According to the Human Rights Campaign, the country’s largest LGBTQ advocacy group, there are over 117 bills introduced across at least 30 states, targeting the transgender community.
