Last week, the US Supreme Court upheld state bans on transgender athletes playing girls’ and women’s sports.
Arizona already bans students assigned male at birth from joining female sports, but a new ballot measure would go further—it would ban trans students from using locker rooms, bathrooms, or showers of the gender they identify with.
Here’s more from our reporter Sahara Sajjadi:
“Last week, Valley ministers and advocacy groups announced a lawsuit to challenge a new Republican-led ballot resolution–House Concurrent Resolution 2003–the Protect Girls’ Sports in Arizona Act, from landing on the November ballot.
“The measure, introduced by Republican state Rep. Selina Bliss (R–Prescott) would prohibit transgender students from participating in sports teams that are not aligned with their assigned sex at birth.
“The plaintiffs say the measure violates state rules that say ballot measures must address only one subject, because the proposal targets both student athletes and access to school facilities like restrooms. They also argue the title, ‘Protect Girls’ Sports,’ is misleading, as it fails to mention that the law would affect bathrooms for all students, not just athletes.
“The lawsuit asks the Maricopa County Superior Court to declare HCR 2003 unconstitutional and block it from the November ballot. If the lawsuit fails and the measure is approved by voters, it would go into effect Jan. 1, 2027.”
Here’s how our readers responded:
💬 “To me banning transgender students from participating in female sports makes sense physiologically, but I don’t agree with the other provisions.” — Ruth B.
💬 “Stop HCR+2003. This has nothing to do with sports and is only meant to control and humiliate transgender people.” — Pat T.
💬 “Go for it, the gender you’re born with is your gender. As God created you.” — James W.
💬 “Does passing HCR 2003 mean that any female using a locker room or bathroom would be required to allow her genitals to be checked? Save me from these hypocrites!” — Janet O.
💬 “All people matter. You are born … biology, chemistry, hormones. I have met wonderful trans women. Yet, I am not able to separate that they do have male chemistry. Which is also an advantage in sports. Another category for participants in sports seems to be necessary.” — Rhonda G.
💬 “It’s really frustrating that people want so badly to keep kids from having fun. What are sports for? Let trans kids play. Becomes very clear with bans like this that trans kids are seen as unworthy of being allowed to grow up. Participating in sports is an important part of social development, physical and mental health, not to mention the joy of athleticism. A ban is a ban, this is an affront to Freedom.” — Abigail M.
💬 “Biology should determine who you compete with, and with whom you can share a bathroom with. It is all about fairness and an equal playing field.” — George H.
