House Bill 1205 may apply to students in grades 5 through 12 in open middle and high colleges or private schools that compete against public schools for sports.
It mandates that sports teams get designated “based on the natural sexual of intended individuals ‘ births.” The three designated types outlined by the act are female, men, or boys, adult, women, or girls, and coed or mingled teams.
Individuals may be required to provide a birth certificate to demonstrate their gender.
Susan Vandecasteele of Salem, a lone Republican, joined Democrats in voting against the act.
However, another Republicans argued in favor of the bill because they believed it had safeguard children’s activities.
” We all want similar exposure to activities. But a woman should not be displaced by a child on a group designated for women”, said Representative Katy Peternel, a Wolfeboro Republican.
She claimed that boys and men who play as women’s athletes have seriously damaged girls and women.
LGBTQ+ activists reject Peternel’s description of trans girls as boys and said this act singles them out for discrimination.
” Today, the consequently- called’ Live Free or Die ‘ State chose to remove transgender girls from participating on girls ‘ sports teams, brutally taking apart opportunities to learn teamwork, improve emotional health, and belong with another girls”, said Linds Jakows, founder of 603 Equality.
Democrats raised questions about a potential infraction of Title IX, which shields people from discrimination based on sexual orientation in any school or educational system that receives federal funding.
” All New Hampshire students regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, gender, religion, economic standing, deserve the opportunity to learn those important life lessons in sports, like authority, trust, self respect, what it means to be part of a team”, said Representative Stephen Woodcock, a Center Conway Democrat.
In addition, the bill’s proponents cited Title IX in their arguments for passage.
The bill protects the future of women’s sports, according to Representative Rick Ladd, a Republican from Haverhill and chair of the House Education Committee. Passing it would mean the end of Title IX.
” It is scientifically a fact that on average, males are stronger, faster, and larger than average females”, he said. ” Providing biological males who identify as girls to play in women’s or girls ‘ sports creates both unfairness and serious safety issues.”
No one has been denied a scholarship or hurt in a game as a result of a transgender person’s participation, according to Representative Linda Tanner, a Georges Mills Democrat.
After one team decided to forfeit the game at halftime, reports of injuries allegedly involving a transgender basketball player in Massachusetts gained national attention. The ACLU of Massachusetts ‘ executive director cautioned against using accusations of aggressive behavior by one player to obliterate LGBTQ people’s public spaces. And she claimed that transgender girls do n’t inherently enjoy an unfair advantage.
According to the Movement Advancement Project, a nonprofit think tank, twenty-four other states have recently passed laws that prohibit transgender students from competing in sports that are in line with their gender identity. States started pursuing this legislation in 2020, following Idaho’s example. According to a report from ESPN, it has resulted in litigation in several states, and the matter is expected to ultimately be decided by the Supreme Court.
Thursday’s vote drew criticism from the American Federation of Teachers of New Hampshire, a teacher’s union, who said it would force schools to discriminate against certain students.
According to Deb Howes, president of AFT- New Hampshire,” the state should not pass laws that make us discriminate against some students and prevent them from participating in these time-honoured school activities with the other students in their communities.”
The American Civil Liberties Union of New Hampshire, New Futures, and the New Hampshire Women’s Foundation were among several other organizations that criticized Thursday’s vote.
In an online legislative portal, 294 people registered their support of the bill, while 432 registered their opposition.
Next, the bill moves to the Senate.
Amanda Gokee can be reached at amanda. gokee@globe .com. Follow her @amanda_gokee.
