New Hampshire lawmakers held a controversial hearing Monday on a bill that would organize intercollegiate and collegiate sports based on gender at birth. Supporters said the bill is based on the safety of female athletes and equity and opportunity for athletes assigned female at birth. Sen. Tim Lang, R-Sanbornton, said the bill is about “sex,” not “gender.” She said co-ed, intramural and club sports are exempt from the bill because they are voluntary, but when it comes to organized sports, people who are born female understand that they are competing against other girls. He said he is doing so. “Biological sex is a determinant of athletic performance,” Lang said, “because of fundamental sex differences in anatomy.” “Once again, there is a fundamental inequity when biological males participate in women’s sports.” >> Download the free WMUR app to stay informed on the go: Apple | Google Play < New Hampshire lawmakers held a controversial hearing Monday on a bill that would organize interscholastic and collegiate sports based on gender at birth. Supporters said the bill is based on the safety of female athletes and equity and opportunity for athletes assigned female at birth. State Sen. Tim Lang (R-Sanbornton) said the bill is about “sex,” not “gender.” She said co-ed, intramural and club sports are exempt from the bill because they are voluntary, but for organized sports, a person born female would not be allowed to compete against other girls. He said he understands that there are. “Biological sex dictates athletic performance due to fundamental sex differences in anatomy,” Lang said. “So when biological males participate in women’s sports, there is a fundamental inequity.” >> Download the free WMUR app and get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play < But Chris Ertschul, an attorney representing GLBTQ Legal Advocates and Defenders, said the bill would put institutions at risk of violating new federal Title IX regulations that were just announced. Some said transgender athletes were taking away opportunities from girls, but opponents of the bill criticized it as discriminatory and unclear. “Being transgender is very, very difficult,” said state Rep. Timothy Horrigan, D-Durham. “This is one of the hardest things a human being can do, and I don't think anyone does it just to unfairly win a track and field medal or even a scholarship.” Another transgender-related bill discussed Monday was SB 341, a mandatory disclosure bill that would require teachers to share information about children with parents, including sexual orientation and gender identity.
