Greg Abbott signed a law Thursday barring transgender college athletes in the state from competing in sports that align with their gender identity – expanding a 2021 law that banned transgender students in K-12 Texas school districts and some charter schools from doing the same.
Abbott framed Senate Bill 15, titled the “Save Women’s Sports Act,” as designed to protect female athletes from unfair competition.
The new law, which takes effect September 1, allows individuals to sue institutions that allow trans athletes to compete on teams that align with their gender identity.
Proponents of such restrictions have argued transgender women have a physical advantage over cisgender women, and that the regulations give female athletes equal opportunities to compete.
However, there is little research on trans collegiate athletes.
Persons:
Greg Abbott, Abbott, “, ”, ’ –, Marti Bier
Organizations:
CNN, Texas Republican Gov, Sports Medicine, Texans, Texas Freedom Network, GOP
Locations:
Texas, Alabama