Stay up to speed on all the latest local and national political news.
On a 13-10 party-line vote, the New Hampshire Senate on Thursday passed legislation organizing school sports from middle school and older by sex at birth, with a specific ban on transgender girls playing in girls sports.
“I think the facts are clear. It may not be universal, but biological males have a strength and speed advantage over biological females,” said Sen. Jeb Bradley, R-Senate president.
Senate Democrats reject that argument, contending that even though transgender youth might have the biological characteristics of a boy, they are actually a girl and should be treated as such.
>> Download the free WMUR app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play <<
“Their teammates know they’re girls, their coaches know they’re girls, their parents know they’re girls, yet this bill would either force them to play on a boys’ team or not play sports at all,” said Sen. Donovan Fenton, D-Keene.
Republicans said allowing young athletes whose bodies have developed with the physical advantage of testosterone to compete against girls is unfair and a safety hazard.
>> Related: Conservative fathers speak out against bills focused on trans youth at NH State House
Sen. Dan Innis told his colleagues he spoke about this issue with Caitlyn Jenner.
“Jenner in high school would’ve destroyed every female athlete he came up against if he was transitioning,” Innis said. “And Caitlyn went on to further say, eventually someone is going to get killed or be seriously injured.”
Democrats argue that injuries are already a part of interscholastic athletics.
“All students take on the risk of injury when playing youth sports. That’s why we as parents have to sign waivers,” said Sen. Debra Altschiller, D-Stratham.
This legislation will now head to Gov. Chris Sununu’s desk. He was non-committal on the bill when asked about it on Wednesday, but on “CloseUp” earlier this year, he voiced a clear opinion on the issue.
“I fundamentally don’t believe that biological boys should be competing in girls sports. I think it’s dangerous,” Sununu said at the time.
Hearst Television participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.
