TransFamily of NW PA Opposes Proposed Ban on Trans Youth in Sports

TransFamily of NWPA condemns the introduction of the so-called "Fairness in Women's Sports Act" to the Pennsylvania legislature on April 5, 2021. It is TransFamily of NWPA's position that transgender and gender non-conforming youth deserve the same opportunities as their cisgender counterparts.

This legislation is not needed. In 2014 the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) adopted a mixed-gender sports participation policy which addresses this issue. To our knowledge there has been no outcry from Pennsylvania student athletes indicating this is an issue which needs addressed further. The NCAA went on record in favor of including transgender athletes in 2011. Since the introduction of these policies there has been no mass domination of sports by transgender or gender non-conforming athletes.

This bill contains similar text as to what has been proposed in other states. We feel this is a coordinated effort to inspire divisiveness based on lack of information and understanding. Other state's bills have already been challenged and found unconstitutional (Idaho, Judge David Nye) in the courts. If passed in Pennsylvania, this act will face similar legal challenges, incurring unnecessary costs to the taxpayers. We are hopeful that this hateful act will not be passed or signed into law.

Furthermore, TransFamily of NWPA urges our state's lawmakers to not sign on in support of this legislation. Doing so is an act of aggression toward one of the state's most vulnerable populations. It indicates a willingness to invalidate a transgender or gender non-conforming youth's existence and value.