MADISON, WI (WSAU) — A bill being introduced in the Wisconsin Assembly would ban transgender students from participating in female sports at both the high school and collegiate level in the state.
The measure, introduced by Oconomowoc Rep. Barb Dittrich, would make it illegal for a transgender girl or woman to play on a high school girl’s team or a college women’s team. Dittrich says those who don’t support the measure would be “sexist.”
The Legislature’s LGBTQ Caucus slammed the measure with a statement reading in part “All young people, including transgender or intersex athletes, should have the right and the opportunity to participate in organized, school-sponsored athletics consistent with their gender identity.”
The bill faces an almost certain veto from Democratic Governor Tony Evers. Following the introduction of the bill, he Tweeted “My message to Wisconsin’s transgender kids and students is simple: I see you. You are welcome, you are wanted, and you belong.”
Dittrich says the bill is about fairness for women participating in sports. According to the bill, schools would be required to designate all of their athletic teams as “Male,” “Female,” or “Both Sexes” or “Coed.”
More than a dozen other states are considering similar measures. Other states, such as deeply red South Dakota have seen the discussion come up almost annually.
Lawmakers in the Mt Rushmore State have tried numerous times to overturn the SDHSAA’s current transgender student-athlete policy which calls for each instance to be handled on a case-by-case basis by considering input from the student-athlete, school officials, and a panel of gender experts. Officials with the SDHSAA have noted that their policy has largely gone unused.
