Senate Bill 83 cleared the Republican-led Senate last month and was amended last night to extend the ban through the collegiate level. If the bill becomes law, athletic eligibility would be determined by a student’s gender certified on their birth certificate. Republican Representative Melinda Gibbons Prunty said the bill was needed to protect women’s sports and Title IX. She believes allowing transgender girls to play on girls’ teams creates and unfair advantage.
“I cast a yes vote for the young women’s mental health who might be affected by this,” Gibbons Prunty said.
Democrat Representative Attica Scott argued that her constituents were opposed to the bill and believes it goes against regulations in place for women’s sports.
“They just want kids to play sports. That it. Just let them play sports. I mean, this goes against the NCAA. This goes against Title IX.” Scott said, “This is not the way forward for Kentucky. We should be taking care of and protecting our trans kids.”
The measure now heads to the House.
