Sen. Bryant Richardson, a Republican representing Seaford, announced Friday that he will reintroduce the Fairness in Girls’ Sports Act, a bill that would require students to play only on sports teams that correspond to their biological sex.
The bill was previously introduced in both February and July of 2022, but never made it out of committee. The current legislative session ends next week.
“With the rise of male students participating in female sports across the nation, it is important we protect female athletes in Delaware, guaranteeing fairness and equal opportunity for success,” Richardson said.
RELATED:Why transgender athletes’ futures are being decided by politicians in Delaware
The bill comes amid a flood of anti-trans rhetoric and legislation nationwide, including laws banning gender-affirming care for transgender people of all ages.
The push to exclude transgender students from athletics is based on the myth that trans people are inherently better at sports than their cisgender peers, according to the American Civil Liberties Union. However, advocates say that, like anyone else, trans athletes vary in their athletic abilities and advantages — and preventing these students from playing on the teams that match their gender identity can have potentially deadly consequences.
MORE:Wilmington photographer captures beauty, commitment of trans, gender-nonconforming couples
Activists also raise questions about whether “unfairness” in sports is actually an issue in practice. The Delaware Association of Athletic Directors, consisting of athletic directors at the state’s 50-some high schools, could not account for any transgender students presently playing on any teams, said President Mike Hart last year.
Transgender students in Delaware are currently allowed to play on the sports team that matches their gender identity, according to the Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association’s rules.
Dave Baylor, who will take over as executive director of the association in July, said it was premature for him to comment on this particular bill.
THE NATIONAL CONVERSATION:Americans less supportive of transgender athletes playing for teams of their choice, poll finds
Send story tips or ideas to Hannah Edelman at hedelman@delawareonline.com. For more reporting, follow them on Twitter at @h_edelman.
