A proposed law that outlaws transgender students from participating in girls’ athletics is overdue, according to a local education advocate.
“It should have happened last year,” said Andy Wells, state director of No Left Turn in Education. “There are several bills that have been heard by the House and the Senate, and I absolutely think that it’s going to pass this year and is going to go before the governor.”
Wells was reacting to the Save Women's Sports Act that was introduced by Missouri Sen. Ben Brown (R-Washington), which includes a cause for legal action.
“Any participant in youth or children sports who is disadvantaged in any way by a violation of this act may recover damages and equitable relief,” the legislation states.
Also known as Senate Bill 87, the proposed law does not allow females to participate in male sports, does not allow males to participate in female sports, and proscribes that gender be determined by gender at birth.
“The Senate heard it on the floor for the first time last week but the House has not brought it to the floor yet,” Wells told the St. Louis Record. “One of the biggest outcries from the opposition is that the state doesn't have the authority to decide, that it will be challenged and the state will lose.”
A challenge to a similar law in West Virginia in federal court was dismissed last month. U.S. District Court Judge Joseph Goodwin for the Southern District of West Virginia upheld West Virginia’s Transgender Sports Law as constitutional.
“There is other legislation that will further protect children and some other pieces of legislation coming, which will support children and parents,” Wells added.
Transgender athletes have been required by the Missouri State High School Activities Association to apply to compete as the gender with which they identify since 2012
As previously reported in the St. Louis Post Dispatch, 13 students have been approved, including four transgender girls.
"Our office provides information to the membership so that each school may form its own opinion on pending legislation," said Jason West, communications director with the Missouri State High School Activities Association. "One of the Association's responsibilities is to promote participation in interscholastic sports and activities which contributes to the development of good citizenship, sportsmanship, and equitable competition."
Sens. Denny Hoskins (R-Warrensburg), Tony Luetkemeyer (R-Parkville), Holly Thompson Rehder (R-Sikeston), Jill Carter (R-Granby), and Mike Moon (R-Ash Grove) have introduced similar bills.
Rep. Greg Razer (D-Kansas City), an openly homosexual man, said that transgender bills are politically divisive.
“Some think tank somewhere decided that this was a good wedge issue for campaigns,” Razer previously told the St. Louis Post Dispatch. "They’ve been using our community for years to do this.”