The Minnesota House spent the longest debate of the year on Monday over a GOP bill to ban transgender athletes from girls’ sports, which ultimately failed to pass. The bill failed by one vote, with Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman stating that it would allow children to be bullied and criticized Republicans for ignoring real challenges Minnesotans are facing. Author of the bill, Rep. Peggy Scott, argued that there are fairness and safety issues with allowing transgender girls to compete in girls’ sports. The bill would have required female athletes to prove their gender if challenged, originally requiring a doctor’s note based on anatomy, hormone levels, and chromosomes.
The bill drew national attention, with a celebrity spokesperson supporting the ban and transgender advocates arguing that the bill was a distraction and a way to sow division. The DFL majority in the Senate also rejected a similar bill on Monday. This debate has highlighted the ongoing controversy surrounding transgender participation in sports and the differing opinions on the fairness and inclusivity of allowing transgender athletes to compete based on their gender identity.
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