ladbible logo

To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

Florida Becomes Largest US State To Ban Transgender Girls Playing Girl Sports

Florida Becomes Largest US State To Ban Transgender Girls Playing Girl Sports

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said 'girls are going to play girls sports and boys are going to play boys sports'.

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie

Florida has become the latest and largest US state to introduce a ban on transgender girls playing in girl sports at public high schools and colleges.

The Alligator State joins seven other states who have brought in similar restrictions because lawmakers believe it's unfair.

There have been very few issues with students who were born male and have or are transitioning to female competing in these sports, however US jurisdictions have been worried about the possibility of unfairness.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed the bill and said it's a massive win for everyone who plays sports.

"In Florida, girls are going to play girls sports and boys are going to play boys sports. We're going to make sure that that's the reality," he said.

PA

The bill says a trans student athlete can't compete without showing a birth certificate that says she was a girl when she was born.

It also gives students the ability to sue a school if it allows a trans athlete to compete in a female team or event.

The 'Fairness in Women's Sports Act' was passed after some of its more controversial aspects were removed.

Under the original submission, trans athletes could have been subjected to having their genitals examined or have to undergo testosterone or genetic testing.

The bill has been criticised by Democrats and LGBTQIA+ advocates.

Democratic Senator Shevrin Jones said in a statement: "This is yet another hate-driven attack from the governor and Republican legislators, and it's insulting that they've staged this morning's photo-op on the first day of Pride Month. At the end of the day, transgender kids are just kids."

PA

Human Rights Campaign President Alphonso David added: "All Floridians will have to face the consequences of this anti-transgender legislation - including economic harm, expensive taxpayer-funded legal battles, and a tarnished reputation."

The bill is expected to be hauled before the courts and labeled as 'discriminatory' and 'unconstitutional'.

Republicans have hit back at the suggestion the legislation will discriminate.

Senator Kelli Stargel, who was a proud supporter of the bill, said: "This bill is very simply about making sure that women can safely compete, have opportunities and physically be able to excel in a sport that they trained for, prepared for and work for.

"This is nothing about anybody being discriminated against. It's solely so that women have an opportunity to compete in women's sports."

Anti-trans bills have been brought into Republican controlled states, with Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, Montana, Tennessee and West Virginia already passing legislation on the topic.

South Dakota's governor has also signed an executive order that requires students to play in a team that fits the sex they were assigned at birth.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: News, LGBT, US News