Florida House moves to limit transgender students in sports

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida lawmakers moved closer to requiring transgender athletes to undergo testosterone or genetic testing — as well as submit to having their genitalia examined — to participate on sports teams in public schools and colleges.

The proposal in Florida, approved overwhelmingly Wednesday by the state’s Republican-led House, is part of a continuing national debate over transgender rights, including access to restrooms, locker rooms and other facilities. A companion bill in Florida’s state Senate awaits another committee hearing.

The latest battleground is in the arena of school athletics.

Supporters asserted that the measure was about acknowledging biological and scientific differences between males and females, contending that it was about fairness and retaining a level playing field in competitive sports for student athletes born as girls.

Allowing biological males to compete in women’s sports diminishes the protections and opportunities guaranteed by Title IX, the 1972 federal doctrine that barred discrimination against women in school programs, including sports, said Republican Rep. Jenna Persons-Mulicka.

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