SW News: On Thursday, April 20, the Republican-led House of Representatives in the United States approved the "Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2023," which would exclude transgender females from participating in female-only school sports programs.

All Republican lawmakers supported the Act, while all Democratic legislators opposed it. It was passed in the House with 219 votes in favor of it and 203 opposing it. The measure states that "it shall be a violation... for a recipient of federal financial assistance who operates, sponsors, or facilitates athletic programs or activities to permit a person whose sex is male to participate in an athletic program or activity that is designated for women or girls."

Biological men training with females, on the other hand, are exempt as long as no female is refused a roster spot on a team or sport, the chance to practice or compete, a scholarship, admittance to an educational institution, or any other athletic-related advantage.

Meanwhile, House Democrats spoke out against the measure throughout its passage. "This dangerous bill puts transgender children in jeopardy and prioritizes politics over participation," stated former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA). President Joe Biden has already said that he would veto the Senate measure.

Republicans argued that the rule would prohibit biological males from dominating females and female-dominated sports. Rep. Virginia Ann Foxx also denied her opponent's accusation that the Republican Party is waging a "hate" campaign against transgender children, claiming that Democrats overlook men's "physical advantages" over women.

Title IX is largely credited with greatly increasing female sports participation, and Republicans have accused Democrats of pushing transgender rights to an illogical conclusion that contradicts Title IX's goal.

The Civil Rights Act of 1972 is also known as Title IX of the Education Amendments to the United States Code. Gender discrimination is prohibited at federally funded institutions.

South Carolina, Florida, Idaho, and Texas are just a handful of the states that have enacted legislation preventing transgender athletes from competing in sports that correspond to their biological sex as indicated on their birth certificates in the last three years.