Mississippi is set to become the first state in the US to enact a law that bans transgender athletes from participating in girls’ and women’s sports teams. The legislation is scheduled to take effect on July 1, but it may face legal challenges.
The Governor of Mississippi, Tate Reeves, a Republican, signed the bill on Thursday, asserting that he believes the promotion of transgender identity among children is inappropriate. He emphasized the importance of the law in safeguarding young girls from having to compete against biological males for sports opportunities. Reeves, who has three daughters involved in sports, expressed his support for the bill based on these concerns.
Critics have condemned the legislation as discriminatory. Jett Jonelis, the advocacy manager for the American Civil Liberties Union, criticized the law, stating that it seeks to exclude and marginalize transgender individuals from various public spheres.
In a similar vein, Idaho attempted to pass a comparable bill last year, but it was blocked by a federal court ruling. Presently, 20 states are considering legislation aimed at limiting athletic opportunities and access to gender-affirming healthcare for transgender youths. These laws run counter to an executive order issued by President Joe Biden on his first day in office, which prohibits discrimination based on gender identity in school sports.
