The Human Rights Campaign released a press statement Wednesday denouncing the Senate for passing a bill that would ban transgender university athletes from playing a sport consistent with their gender identity.
HB261, sponsored by Rep. Susan Dubose, R-Hoover, is the latest bill targeting LGBTQ+ individuals. It would be the second bill banning transgender sports and the fourth anti-LGBTQ+ law to pass in two years.
Alabama State Director for HRC, Carmarion D. Anderson-Harvey, issued a statement admonishing legislators pushing anti-LGBTQ+ laws for political gain.
“HB261 is part of a coordinated effort by extremist politicians trying to advance their anti-LGBTQ+ agenda,” Anderson-Harvey stated. “These politicians know that state and university sports leagues already have their own governing bodies to determine the best regulations that work for their students. And, they know that an outright ban on transgender athletes exacerbates discrimination against LGBTQ+ people, is not based on the facts, and does not help women’s sports. These lawmakers are not concerned about fairness, they’re concerned about a political scoreboard. We urge Governor Ivey to veto this hateful legislation.”
In April, President Joe Biden’s administration introduced new changes to Title IX that would make it illegal for states to implement slbroad bans against transgender athletes.
The bill passed the Senate 26-4 and now moves to Governor Kay Ivey’s desk to be signed into law.
