This week, Nebraska joined more than a dozen other states in enacting a ban on transgender athletes from participating in girls' and women's sports. The ban was signed into law on Wednesday by Governor, Jim Pillen.
According to ABC News, the bill, “Stand With Women Act,” was first passed through the state legislature last week by a single vote. Originally, the bill also included laws on locker room and bathroom usage by transgender people, but it was pared down to exclusively sports participation in the end.
This week, Nebraska joined more than a dozen other states in enacting a ban on transgender athletes from participating in girls' and women's sports. The ban was signed into law on Wednesday by Governor, Jim Pillen.
According to ABC News, the bill, “Stand With Women Act,” was first passed through the state legislature last week by a single vote. Originally, the bill also included laws on locker room and bathroom usage by transgender people, but it was pared down to exclusively sports participation in the end.
The bill banning bathroom and locker room use based on self-gender determination will return to the legislature later this year.
Those in support of the new law banning transgender girls and women from sports believe “it protects women and girls and their ability to fairly compete in sports.” At this time, the Nebraska School Activities Association reports that there have been less than 10 transgender student-athletes in the state over the past decade.
Opponents of the new law are unsure that this measure was necessary, citing the very few transgender student-athletes currently reported. The director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Nebraska, Mindy Rush Chipman, said, “This ban will only create problems, not solve any. The constant targeting of LGBTQ+ Nebraskans must stop.”Â
“What we’re doing with L.B. 89 — it’s not protecting anyone. We’re not making schools safer; we’re not making sports more fair; we’re singling out a tiny, tiny number of trans students, most of whom are just trying to survive in the face of increased scrutiny and hostility and ostracization from adults like us,” said senator Megan Hunt, the first LGBTQ person elected to the Legislature in Nebraska.
Despite a vocal opposition, Governor Pillen posted on social media, “It’s just common sense that girls shouldn’t have to compete against biological boys. This legislative win will lead to many more victories for Nebraska’s female athletes, as we ensure a level and fair playing field for all girls who compete.”
