South Dakota Gov. Will Sign Bill Defending Women’s Sports For Biological Females
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem announced to Twitter that she will sign a bill ‘defending women’s sport’s’ which will designate female teams and sports at public schools for students who are biologically female. The bill passed in the South Dakota Senate 20-15 on Monday.
Noem posted to Twitter on Monday, “In South Dakota, we’re celebrating #InternationalWomensDay by defending women’s sports! I’m excited to sign this bill very soon.”
In South Dakota, we're celebrating #InternationalWomensDay by defending women's sports! I'm excited to sign this bill very soon. https://t.co/OU15HOwp2r
— Governor Kristi Noem (@govkristinoem) March 8, 2021
The bill was introduced by State Representative Rhonda Milstead and it passed the South Dakota House 50-15 in February, reported by KOTA TV.
A spokesman for Noem told Fox News, “We anticipate that when Governor Noem signs the bill, South Dakota will be the first state this year to pass legislation of this sort.”
The ACLU of South Dakota testified against the bill because they said it violates the United States Constitution and federal civil rights laws according to their advocacy manager Jett Jonelis.
“In an attempt to ‘level the playing field,’ House Bill 1217 excludes an entire group of women and girls from meaningful participation in sports,” Jonelis stated according to KOTA TV. “House Bill 1217 isn’t about protecting fairness in women’s sports. It’s about erasing and excluding trans people from participation in all aspects of public life.”
Mississippi legislators also passed a bill in the state House earlier this month with an 81-28 vote called the ‘Mississippi Fairness Act and is expected to be signed by Gov. Tate Reeves.
"Does the president have a message for local school officials in dealing with these disputes that are already starting to arise between trans girls who are competing and cis girls and a level playing field…?"@PressSec: "Trans rights are human rights." pic.twitter.com/RJuwfxotoD
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) February 9, 2021