N.D. House passes bill banning transgender students from competing in school sports

State Reps. Jason Dockter and Rep. Craig Headland walked in Memorial Hall to the House chamber for an afternoon session in late January, 2021, in Bismarck, N.D. (Tom Stromme/The Bismarck Tribune via AP)

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UPDATED 3:00 PM PT – Friday, February 12, 2021

North Dakota’s Senate is set to consider a bill which would ban transgender students from competing in school sports based on their gender identity.

This came after State House lawmakers passed the legislation Thursday in a 65-26 vote. The bill would also ban school sporting events from receiving public funding if they have a transgender athlete competing on their teams.

Signs in the North Dakota Capitol remind visitors to wear a face mask in the areas controlled by the 2021 legislative assembly in Bismarck, N.D. (Tom Stromme/The Bismarck Tribune via AP)

Opponents said the bill discriminated against students, while supporters argued it would protect female athletes from competing against transgender players who would be more dominant.

“It’s about protecting the rights of women and girls, which were created under the 1972 Title IX Act Education Amendment provisions,” State Rep. Kathy Skroch (R-N.D.) stated.

Lawmakers in about a dozen other states are also considering similar legislation.

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