COLUMBUS, Ohio — A bill that would ban transgender girls from participating in girls’ school sports in Ohio is back at the Statehouse after failing to pass last session.
Rep. Jena Powell, R-Arcanum, introduced the bill, which is being called the Save Women’s Sports Act, on Wednesday, which was International Women’s Day.
“All that girls are asking for is a fair shot and to be given the chance to play and win by the rules in the sport that they love,” Rep. Powell said during the bill’s first hearing on Wednesday. “That opportunity is being ripped away from them by biological males.”
According to an analysis by the Ohio Legislative Service Commission, the bill would: require schools to designate separate single-sex athletic teams based on the sex of the participants, authorize a student to file a civil action if that student is deprived of an athletic opportunity or suffers harm as a result of a violation of the bill’s requirements, and prohibit a state agency or athletic association from taking adverse actions against a school that complies with the bill’s single-sex participation requirements.
“The reason we have women’s sports divisions is because biological males will always possess physical and biological advantages over girls,” Rep. Powell said.
Several Republican lawmakers have signed on as co-sponsors of the bill. And Rep. Derek Merrin, R-Monclova Township, who lost the race as speaker this session, spoke in support of the bill at the hearing.
After Democratic Rep. Casey Weinstein, D-Hudson, questioned Powell’s use of the term “biological male” rather than transgender girl and asked why the legislature would insert big government into parents’ and children’s decisions, Rep. Merrin responded.
“If the Democrats want to empower parents and students, maybe we should have the bill to allow a vote because, right now, the public at 80-90 percent do not think men should play women’s sports,” he said.
But other Democrats on the higher education committee also questioned the bill. There are only a handful of transgender girls taking part in sports across the state. And the Ohio High School Athletic Association already has a policy in place. In the past, the OHSAA has opposed similar legislation.
“The OHSAA believes that our current transgender policy is effective in protecting the integrity of girls sports, while also providing participation opportunities for the highly vulnerable group of transgender students,” read a previous statement to 10TV.
“I’m really more concerned about transgender girls in our schools right now, whether it’s k-12 or college, who are simply looking for an opportunity to participate in a team, to have greater acceptance for who they are from team members and others in their community, and it’s their mental health that I’m concerned about,” said Rep. Mary Lightbody, D-Westerville. “Have you considered how difficult this will be for kids who are already vulnerable to bullying and teasing and misunderstanding by others in their communities?”
Rep. Powell defended her bill under questioning but demurred when asked directly whether she believes transgender people exist.
“Do you believe that a trans woman is a woman and should be due the same protections and equalities as other women here in Ohio,” asked Rep. Joe Miller, D-Amherst.
“Male and female bodies play sports,” Rep. Powell answered. “That’s what this piece of legislation is about.”
10TV reached out to Rep. Powell for comment on Thursday but did not hear back.
10TV also reached out to Gov. Mike DeWine for comment. His spokesman said that the governor “has stated that athletic governing bodies like the Ohio High School Athletic Association are well positioned to address these issues.”