BOOM! Arkansas Governor SIGNS bill banning biological males from competing in female sports

Arkansas is now the second state to ban biological males from competing in female sports after the great Arkansas governor actually signed his bill today:

AP – Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson on Thursday signed a law banning transgender women and girls from competing in school sports teams consistent with their gender identity, making the state the second to approve such a restriction so far this year.

The Republican governor approved the measure despite objections from medical and child-welfare groups that it would have devastating impacts on transgender youth. Hundreds of college athletes have also urged the NCAA to refuse to hold championships in states that enact such bans.

“This law simply says that female athletes should not have to compete in a sport against a student of the male sex when the sport is designed for women’s competition,” Hutchinson said in a statement released by his office. “As I have stated previously, I agree with the intention of this law. This will help promote and maintain fairness in women’s sporting events.”

Republicans in at least 20 state legislatures have been pushing for similar bans this year. Mississippi’s governor signed a prohibition into law earlier this month. South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem had initially said she would sign similar legislation sent to her but has since pushed for changing it to exclude college sports. Arkansas’ law covers K-12 as well as collegiate sports.

The ban covers collegiate sports too? Kristi Noem hardest hit! To quote Montell Jordan, “This is how we do it!”

Only one state, Idaho, has enacted a law curtailing transgender students’ sports participation, and that 2020 measure is blocked by a court ruling as a lawsuit plays out. Opponents have not said whether they plan legal action to block Arkansas’ ban.

“This law is a discriminatory and shameful attempt by politicians to stigmatize and exclude transgender teens,” American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas Executive Director Holly Dickson said in a statement.

Arkansas’ law, if it isn’t blocked by a legal challenge, would take effect this summer. Under the new law, a student or school who suffers “direct or indirect harm” could take a school to court for violating the ban.

It goes without saying that it will be challenged. I’m sure the NCAA is stomping it’s feet up and down but thankfully Governor Hutchinson isn’t paying them any mind.

But Arkansas isn’t done yet. They are about to pass a religious liberty bill that will allow doctors to choose not to treat certain patients on moral or religious grounds:

The measure is among several targeting transgender people advancing through the majority-Republican Legislature this year. Another bill on Hutchinson’s desk would allow doctors to refuse to treat someone for moral or religious reasons, a measure opponents says would allow LGBT patients to be turned away.

A final vote is also expected next week on legislation that would ban gender confirmation surgery or treatment for minors.

Thank you Arkansas for making a statement by doing the right thing even though lawsuits are coming. Hopefully this or Idaho’s challenge ends up in the Supreme Court on a good day and we get a good ruling from our more ‘conservative’ court.

I know, I know, it’s not a sure thing. But it certainly has a better chance than before!


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