The state of Mississippi has passed the bill to ban transgender athletes from competing in female sports in both schools and universities - but, of course, opinions are seriously divided on the issue.
The state becomes the first state to officially pass SB 2536 in the nation.
Other states such as Utah and Tennessee and North Dakota are also considering similar bills, with certain states opting to ban trans athletes in K-12 sports.
Elected officials in Oklahoma, South Carolina, Kentucky, and New Hampshire are now also considering doing the same.
Keep scrolling for all the details on this nationwide issue.
Now, this has been debated for quite some time.
Ever since the Olympics allowed trans athletes to compete in 2016, there has been a solid divide in opinion over the matter.
While many are supportive of the inclusion of transgender athletes...
Others argue that it is unfair towards other athletes competing in the sport.
The subject of transgender female athletes is certainly the most debated...
Hi Daniel, you can abuse me all you like but facts matter.
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) October 17, 2020
a) I support fairness & equality for all trans people.
b) Allowing trans women athletes to compete against women born to female biological bodies is inarguably unfair, unequal & dangerous. https://t.co/shAPFFFXIA
With people like Piers Morgan arguing that female trans athletes have an "unfair advantage" due to the fact they were born with a male anatomy, consisting of testosterone and other male hormones that increase strength and stamina.
It has been argued that their competitors don't "stand a chance"...
I know this won't be popular but athletes born female cannot possibly compete on a level playing field with someone born male.
— Emma Louisa J 💕🥂🍾 (@Emmalouisajones) February 26, 2020
It's ludicrous and totally unfair to allow this to happen imo.
And there's a high number of people out there who feel transgender athletes shouldn't be allowed to compete because of this thought.
For instance, professional MMA fighter Ronda Rousey refused to fight trans fighter Fallon Fox in 2014.
"I feel like if you go through puberty as a man it's something that you can't really reverse. You can't just reverse that, there's no undo button on that. That's, unfortunately, her scenario," she said of her decision.
And New Zealand transgender weightlifter, Laurel Hubbard, faced a lot of criticism after she won a gold medal at the Pacific Games.
New Zealand-based lobby group, "Speak Up For Women," which advocates that sport must be categorized by sex rather than gender identity, called on the country's Olympic committee and sports minister to "defend women's sport."
"Kiwis (New Zealanders) know that males competing in women's sport is blatantly unfair," the group's spokesperson Ani O'Brien harshly said.
Nevertheless, transgender athletes are allowed to compete here in the United States...
And transgender girls are permitted to participate in sports that match their gender identity at schools and colleges across the country.
However, that is all set to change in one particular State.
As announced earlier, the State of Mississippi has voted unanimously to ban young transgender athletes from competing in female sports in all schools and universities.
Of course, many have slammed the decision as an "attack on trans lives", including the Human Rights Campaign.
BREAKING: Mississippi just passed SB 2536, an anti-trans sports bill, becoming the first state in the nation to pass an explicitly anti-trans bill in 2021.
— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) March 3, 2021
We are witnessing a coordinated effort to limit and erase trans existence across the country.
I'm proud i don't live in Mississippi. i'm also proud i'm not an evil conservative.
— BLUE Patriot #N (@patriotmonster) March 3, 2021
This heartbreaking :( I hope and the transgender community in Mississippi know that many love and support them!
— Staci Meyer (@StaciMe94523440) March 4, 2021
this is completely unbelievable and truly so very upsetting #stoptransphobia #translivesmatter #transisbeautiful
— george regout (@george_regout) March 3, 2021
fuck Mississippi and any state who does this
— Tara Brooks (@AlestraBrooks) March 4, 2021
Last in education.
— 尺ﾑﾶ乇刀 刀oodﾚ乇 丂ﾑﾶu尺ﾑﾉ (@RominNoodleSam) March 4, 2021
Last in economic growth.
First in line for federal subsidies.
Clearly, MS has is priorities in line.
However, others have expressed their support for the bill.
You're kidding, right? Trans activists are trying to eliminate fair and safe competition for women and girls. That's a radical move and legislatures are responding by protecting women's sports. This bill isn't anti-trans or even anti-trans sports, just an insistence on fair play.
— Eliza Mondegreen (@elizamondegreen) March 4, 2021
STOP calling it a anti-trans bill when you know damn well it it is a fairness for woman and girls in sports bill! Trans can still play sports, but on teams related to their "sex", not what ever they "identify" as!
— NoPubertyBlockersForChildren (@Muttmere1) March 4, 2021
Look I’m fine if someone wants to choose a different identity. A biological male has an unfair advantage. Imagine if most trans boys tried out for women’s basketball. Eventually all biological girls sports would be gone.
— Greg Burns (@GregBur12973634) March 4, 2021
No, @HRC, you’re witnessing the response to a coordinated effort to disenfranchise women & girls from their rights to privacy, safety, & fair competition. ♀️
— Holtwood 🟥 boop/bop/beep (@Holtwood06) March 4, 2021
The initial vote took place on Thursday, February 11th, and won by thirty-six votes to 9.
4 people chose not to take part in the vote, while 5 voted "present," meaning they were not voting for or against the new legislation.
There was reportedly "very little discussion" before the vote took place in the Republican-led state...
And, according to AP, no one asked if any transgender athletes were currently competing in Mississippi, with the bill's sponsor, Republican Sen. Angela Hill, not offering such information.
Sen. Hill said this on the decision:
"I've had numerous coaches across the state call me and believe that they feel there's a need for a policy in Mississippi because they are beginning to have some concerns of having to deal with this."
Following the first vote, it has now officially passed through Senate.
On March 3rd, representatives voted 81-28 in favor of the bill, making Mississippi the first state to legally and officially ban transgender women from competing in high school and university sports.
The news comes after President Joe Biden signed an executive order which prohibits discrimination based on gender identity in school sports.
The order said this: "Children should be able to learn without worrying about whether they will be denied access to the restroom, the locker room, or school sports."
However, the Governor of the state, Tate Reeves took to Twitter to slam his decision saying:
"I am so disappointed over President Biden's actions to force young girls like them to compete with biological males for access to athletics. It will limit opportunity for so many competitors like my daughters. It is bad policy and it is wrong for America."
Currently, only seventeen states allow transgender athletes to compete in high school sports.
Stay tuned on for more updates on this ongoing issue.
