GOP-Majority House Passes Bill Restricting Trans Women From Playing School Sports

The GOP-led House passed legislation that would prohibit trans women from playing school sports in Pennsylvania.

The state House has passed legislation that would ban LGBTQ+ students in Pennsylvania from playing school sports as the gender they identify with.

House Bill 972 passed along party lines Tuesday by a vote of 115-84. It now goes to the Senate for consideration.

Dubbed the “Protect Women’s Sports Act,” the bill would restrict transgender girls and women from playing scholastic and collegiate sports on women’s teams. 

The legislation was met with strong opposition from House Democrats.

“This legislation is cruel and unnecessary,” Rep. Dan Frankel (D-Allegheny) said on the floor of the House prior to the vote. “It’s not about fairness. You don’t have to understand these kids but we still need to protect them.” 

Lawmakers in other states such as Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Utah passed similar legislation recently, bringing the total number of states with laws banning young transgender athletes playing on girls teams to 12. Legislation that would ban trans girls and women from competing in school sports is still pending in a number of other states.

“This bill demonstrates a lack of empathy and outright hate,” Rep. Austin Davis (D-Allegheny) said. “I pray your eyes will open to the harm you are doing. This bill should not exist let alone pass.”

Gov. Tom Wolf has vowed to veto HB 972 if it makes it to his desk.