The culture war of conservative Americans in the USA is being fought more and more on the backs of underage transgender girls. “We stick to biology and not ideology when we do sport,” said Florida’s governor Ron DeSantis, according to Reuters news agency – and enacted a law that bans transgender girls from girls’ school sport.
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Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, Montana, Tennessee and West Virginia had already passed similar laws in the past, and now Florida is the most populous US state to date. “In Florida, girls will do girls ‘sports and boys will do boys’ sports,” DeSantis said. He justified the step by saying that fairness would again be ensured for women. The governor is considered a close confidante of ex-President Donald Trump.
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Fairer competitions are unlikely to be the only reason for the measure. The question of whether transgender athletes are allowed to compete against girls and women in school sports has caused heated debates in the United States. Prohibition is a core concern of American Conservatives.
Most recently, the trans woman and activist Caitlyn Jenner commented on this – and spoke out against trans girls in girls’ sports. DeSantis signed the law at a Christian school in the city of Jacksonville.
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Explosive point in time
The point in time when DeSantis put the decree into force is explosive. According to Reuters, US President Joe Biden had recently announced “Pride Month” in a proclamation, in which LGBTQ + people are to be celebrated. His predecessor Trump had always refused this symbolic act during his tenure.
Activists sharply criticized the measure in Florida. The Human Rights Campaign announced a lawsuit against the law, calling it “false” and “discriminatory.” It puts the well-being of transgender children at risk, said Human Rights Campaign president Alphonso David. “Transgender children are children, transgender girls are girls. Like all other children, they deserve the opportunity to do sports with their friends and be part of a team. “
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The college sports association NCAA rejected the Florida bill in April. Events will only be allowed to take place in states that are “free from discrimination,” the association said.
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