The Utah High School Activities Association and two athletes have dropped their challenge to Utah’s ban on trans sports.
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Republican House Speaker Mike Schultz of the Beehive celebrated the victory for transgender children.
“Big news for Utah!! Passed in 2022, HB 11 “Student Eligibility in Interdisciplinary Activities” is now fully implemented as Utah law. Biological males will no longer be able to compete in women’s sports, the Athletic Eligibility Committee will be disbanded, and eligibility in women’s sports will once again be based on gender at birth,” he said. Posted in X.
“The Utah Legislature took the lead on this issue nearly four years ago. It wasn’t easy, but it was the right thing to do. Thank you for your big support and former members of Congress.” [Kera Birkeland] We thank her for her leadership and determination to see this across the finish line. This is a huge victory for fairness, safety, and protection of women’s sports in Utah. ”
Related: Debunking the top 5 myths about trans athletes
Sports associations and families challenged the law in 2022. A preliminary injunction blocking the law was issued soon afterward, primarily because parents tried to enforce the law by accusing a female athlete of being transgender, only to discover that she was cisgender. The injunction still gave the sports commission the power to decide whether an athlete was eligible to compete.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox vetoed the bill when it passed, but lawmakers overturned that decision. Notably, however, Cox has since softened his advocacy for transgender students, signing legislation that restricts trans students’ admission to dormitories and access to gender-affirming care for minors.
The U.S. Supreme Court in July agreed to hear two challenges this term to laws in other states that bar transgender students from participating in girls’ and women’s sports.
Source: Advocate.com – www.advocate.com
