HORNE: PROPOSED TITLE IX CHANGE WOULD DECIMATE WOMEN’S SPORTS

For immediate release: April 11, 2023
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Horne: Proposed Title IX change would decimate women’s sports

Federal proposal would allow transgender ID to trump biological sex

PHOENIX – Arizona schools chief Tom Horne says a proposed rule submitted by the U.S. Department of Education would decimate girls’ sports in public schools and is contrary to the original intent Title IX to provide a level playing field for women and girls to participate in team sports. The rule is also in conflict with Arizona law.

Arizona Revised Statutes 15-120.02 prohibits biological males from participating in girls’ sports sex except in limited coeducational situations.

The federal proposal would establish that public schools “violate Title IX when they categorically ban transgender students from participating on sports teams consistent with their gender identity just because of who they are.”

Horne stated: “This is not an LGBT issue. When I was in the Arizona legislature, I voted for every bill to extend civil rights to LGBT people. But permitting biological boys to compete in girls’ sports is extremely unfair, and in some cases, devastating to girl competitors.”

He added. “There are numerous news articles about girls who worked hard to excel in their sports, and then were devastated when they could not excel because they had to compete against biological boys, who have the advantage of male muscle mass and bone structure. If there were a sport for which male physical qualities were not an advantage, there would be no reason to divide boys from girls’ sports and they could have a mixed gender team. Otherwise, boys’ sports, need to before biological males, and girls’ sports for biological females.”

The federal proposal is subject to public comment. More information can be found here.

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