NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Tennessee’s GOP-dominant Senate advanced legislation Monday that would ban transgender athletes from participating in girls’ sports.
The bill has been heavily criticized by Democrats and civil rights advocates, who have warned that Tennessee will likely face costly legal challenges if signed into law, pointing to a similar measure in Idaho that’s currently blocked from being enacted as opponents argue it’s unconstitutional in court.
However, despite threats of pending litigation, nearly a dozen states this year have lawmakers backing restrictions on athletics or gender-confirming health care for trans minors this year. Briefly, it appeared Tennessee might waffle in its own attempt after Senate Speaker Randy McNally said the bill may not be necessary due to the lack of transgender student athletes competing in Tennessee sports. However, he later came out in support of the legislation.
“This bill is about guaranteeing safety and a level playing field for girl athletes on middle and high school team,” said Sen. Joey Hensley, a Republican from Hohenwald.
Hensley later told the chamber that he did not talk to any transgender individuals while drafting the bill.