Missouri is a step closer to permanently limiting who transgender athletes can compete against. The state House of Representatives has given initial approval to a bill that would permanently ban transgender athletes competing in sports according to their biological sex.
Rep. Brian Seitz, R-Branson, wants to remove a 2027 expiration date on a current statewide ban.
“When scientific biological differences between the sexes are ignored or not taken into consideration, women and girls suffer and become less than rather than equal,” said Seitz.
He is sponsoring House Bill 1663.
“Female athletes have lost nearly 900 medals across the nation to men competing against them in women’s sporting categories,” he said. “Women’s sports were created to give female athletes a level playing field.”
According to Seitz, in addition to awards and trophies, transgender athletes have been taking away roster spots, playing time, resources, and opportunities for women.
Rep. Elizabeth Fuchs, D-St. Louis, opposes the legislation.
“People say to me, ‘You need to stop talking about those trans people.’ And you know what I tell them? ‘I’d love to.’ And you know who else would like us to stop talking about them? Trans people and trans kids. But you know what? You know why we can’t? Because apparently all of you are obsessed with our kids’ bodies…their genitals,” said Fuchs.
Rep. Brian Seitz, R-Branson (Photo by Tim Bommel, House Communications)
According to Fuchs, trans kids are not a threat to women and girls. Fuchs said coaches and adults who will have access to these children will be.
“Who among us is going to be the judge and jury for these children if they can play sports? Is it going to be you? Do you want to be the one who’s in charge of the pants policing, asked Fuchs.
Rep. Raychel Proudie, D-Ferguson, said some athletes are blessed with speed and muscle.
“I don’t want anybody looking at my kid’s junk trying to figure out whether or not they’re male or female because they run a little too fast. We send athletes to the Olympics from St. Louis. We’ve got runners where I’m from. I don’t want anyone to be terrible at their sport and decide that my niece is not a niece. We keep talking about DEI,” said Proudie. “I don’t want anybody to DEI on my child’s genitalia talking about how they’re concerned that that may not be a girl because their child is slow. That’s a thing, too.”
One more House vote in favor of the bill would send the legislation to the Missouri Senate for more work.
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