Florida House backs ban for transgender female athletes

TALLAHASSEE — Despite impassioned pleas from LGBT advocates, a Florida House panel on Wednesday approved a controversial proposal that would ban transgender girls and women from competing in women’s high school and college sports.

The move by the House Secondary Education & Career Development Subcommittee put Florida among the ranks of at least two-dozen other Republican-dominated state legislatures that have considered or approved measures requiring student athletes to compete according to their sex assigned at birth.

Bill sponsor Kaylee Tuck, R-Lake Placid, said the transgender athletic ban is necessary to establish parity for biologically female athletes.

“There are inherent biological differences between men and women. The ‘Fairness in Women Sports Act’ supports women and girls by ensuring they have the same opportunities as men and boys to showcase their skill, strength and other athletic abilities,” Tuck said before the panel’s 13-4 vote in favor of the bill.

Read more: https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2021/03/17/florida-house-backs-ban-for-transgender-female-athletes/