Michigan committee advances bills restricting participation of transgender girls in school sports after hours of testimony

The House Committee on Government Operations voted to report two bills addressing participation of transgender students in school athletics after more than two hours of testimony Wednesday.

Supporters of House Bill 4066 and House Bill 4469 told the committee the measures are needed to protect girls’ safety and ensure fair competition. Representative Wolford and Representative Linting, sponsors of HB 4066 and HB 4469 respectively, brought forward testimony from athletes and advocates who said biological sex-based eligibility rules are necessary. Peyton McNabb, a former high school volleyball player who testified in person, said she suffered a severe brain injury after being struck by a spiked ball and urged lawmakers to “pass House Bill 40 66 to prevent other female athletes from suffering from injuries such as my own.” A prerecorded video from Riley Gaines, a former University of Kentucky swimmer, described her experience competing against a trans-identifying male swimmer and said female athletes were deprived of awards and privacy.

Opponents said the bills would unlawfully single out transgender students, invade privacy and undermine existing case-by-case policies. Kyle Zawake, legislative director for the ACLU of Michigan, said the bills would “harm transgender students, violate civil rights, and set dangerous precedent for discrimination in Michigan…