SD Senate Sends Transgender Sports Ban To House

  

   The South Dakota Senate has passed and sent to the House a bill proposed by Governor Kristi Noem banning transgender women and girls from participating in school sports leagues that match their gender identity. 

    Backers argued trans athletes hold a competitive advantage in women’s’ sports while opponents said the bill is an effort to bully children for the sake of politics because transgenders have not been an issue in South Dakota sports. 

      The future of the bill in the House isn’t clear because Republicans there have a different version with the same ban but a sharper enforcement mechanism.

      Both chambers passed a similar bill last year, but Noem vetoed it – citing concerns with some technical aspects.