Two Texas Democrats, Reps. Vicente Gonzalez and Henry Cuellar, defied their party's stance on transgender rights and voted to pass a bill banning transgender athletes from participating in girls' sports. The bill, which passed the House 218-206, would withhold Title IX funding from schools allowing transgender athletes in women's sports and mandates a report on the purported benefits of single-sex sports.
Two Texas Democrats, Reps. Vicente Gonzalez (D-McAllen) and Henry Cuellar (D-Laredo), defied party lines and voted in favor of a bill that would ban transgender athletes from participating in girls' sports. The Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act passed the House on a 218-206 vote, with six Democrats and three Republicans abstaining. Rep. Donald Davis (D-N.C.) voted present.
This marks a significant departure from the Democratic party's stance on transgender rights, as the bill has been widely criticized by LGBTQ+ advocacy groups. The bill aims to withhold Title IX funding from schools that allow transgender athletes to compete in women's sports. Title IX is a federal program that prohibits sex-based discrimination in federally funded education programs and activities. The legislation defines the sex of athletes based on their biological sex at birth and mandates a report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) on the purported benefits of single-sex sports for women. This report, according to the bill's author, will document the alleged negative psychological, developmental, participatory, and sociological effects of male participation on girls. Crucially, the bill does not prevent males from training and practicing with women and girls, as long as such activities do not disadvantage female athletes. Gonzalez, in a statement after the vote, defended his decision, emphasizing the importance of representing the values of his South Texas district. He stated, 'I believe that there should be rules to keep our sports fair and that boys should not play in girls sports. Members of Congress must have the freedom to vote in a manner representative of their district.' He also highlighted his commitment to addressing the high cost of living and economic opportunities in his district. Gonzalez and Cuellar, both Democrats representing districts that voted for Donald Trump in the 2020 election, stand as outliers within their party on this contentious issue
Transgender Athletes Gender Identity Title IX Women's Sports Texas Politics
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