Now that the U.S. House has passed bill on transgender athletes in women's sports, here's what to know

Dom Amore, Hartford Courant on Jan 15, 2025

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The U.S. House passed a bill Tuesday that would ban transgender athletes from participating in women’s and girls’ sports, the first step in what is expected to be a long and controversial process.

Locally, this issue became a flashpoint as Andraya Yearwood of Cromwell High and Terry Miller of Bloomfield competed in Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference girls track and field events between 2017-20. This touched off a fight in the courts that is still ongoing, and the issue has been part of political campaigns since.

“Republicans are pushing a bill for sheer political purposes to exert control over school athletics and single out trans kids without any regard for the damaging discrimination it would cause across the board,” said Conn. Rep. John B. Larson (D-1st), who opposed the bill. “It is not a real solution. These issues should be dealt with at the appropriate levels. Athletic governing bodies, state and local associations, and coaches are better equipped to make sure sports remain fair and safe for all players. The Congress and the federal government should not be making these decisions when they have little understanding of the potentially devastating consequences.”

Two Democrats joined the Republican majority in the House to pass the bill, 218-206, with one voting present.

“As a grandfather to six wonderful, capable granddaughters, this is important to me,” said Rep. Buddy Carter, R-Ga., who backed the bill. “This bill would safeguard and uphold the integrity and safety of women’s sports and the true intention of Title IX by allowing all women the opportunity to achieve excellence in sports.”

Currently, Connecticut law allows transgender athletes to compete in sports teams that align with their gender identity. The CIAC declined to comment on the passage of the House bill.

“There are many concept bills being submitted prior to Friday’s legislative deadline and we will reserve comment until more detail is provided in a bill,” said Glenn M. Lungarini, CIAC executive director, in a statement.

Here are some things to know about the bill and where this is headed:

What would this bill do?

The House bill, known as the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, aims to amend Title IX, the federal law banning discrimination in schools based on sex, to recognize a person’s “sex” as “based solely on a person’s reproductive biology and genetics at birth.” According to the bill, schools allowing “a person whose sex is male to participate in an athletic program or activity that is designated for women or girls” could lose federal funding.

What happens next?

Aside from lawsuits, the passage of this bill is the first step in a new law taking effect. The Senate has a similar bill, but does not have a vote scheduled yet. The Republicans have a majority in the Senate. If a version of the bill is approved by both houses, it would go to the White House. Donald Trump, who will be inaugurated next week, has expressed strong support for such measures.

Is there a legal process?

Female athletes Selina Soule, Chelsea Mitchell, Alanna Smith and Ashley Nicoletti brought suit against the CIAC and multiple school boards for allowing Miller and Yearwood to compete. The suit was originally dismissed in 2021, but was later reinstated by a federal appeals court and arguments were heard in U.S. District Court in August.

“This case presents a direct conflict between two interests protected by Title IX: the interest in providing fair competition for biological females, which has long been recognized as a significant governmental interest under Title IX, and the interest in providing transgender girls with opportunities to participate in girls’ sports, which is now protected by a Connecticut state statute,” U.S. District Judge Robert N Chatigny said in ruling last November that the case could move forward.

Can it be overturned?

If the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act becomes law, it will likely be challenged on constitutional grounds in future lawsuits. It could be repealed by future congressional action.

How many are affected?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says about 3% of high school students identify as transgender. About half the states limit transgender athlete participation.

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