© New York Post
The Republican-controlled Texas House has approved a bill that will make transgender students play on school sports teams based on their biological sex.
House Bill 25 was passed 76-54 on Thursday after Texas lawmakers debated for more than 10 hours.
The proposed legislation means students in K-12 public schools will only be allowed to play on school athletic teams that align with the gender they were assigned at birth.
The bill mainly seeks to prevent transgender girls, who are biologically male, from playing on female sport teams.
It does allow for girls to play on a boys' team if a female team isn't available.
The bill, which had already stalled in the House three times, is heading to the Senate, where it is expected to pass.
"Biological males, in addition to having much higher testosterone levels, have many other physiological advantages that girls just cannot overcome," Rep. Valoree Swanson, one of the bill's authors, said on the House floor Thursday.
Those against the bill argue it could have harmful impacts on transgender children if they're banned from team sports according to their gender identity.
© Associated PressState Rep. Mary González wore the colors of the transgender pride flag while speaking against House Bill 25.
"This is bathroom bill 3.0, a bill that was not needed then and a bill that is not needed now," she said.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Texas slammed the measure and vowed to fight it as it moves to the Senate.
"The Texas House just voted to discriminate against trans kids and exclude them from playing sports as their authentic selves. For months, trans kids and advocates have been fighting against bills like HB 25. That fight doesn't end tonight," the ACLU tweeted.
Comment: Kudos to Texas for recognizing the fact that there are differences in performance between male and female bodies, with the advantage being overwhelmingly to the males, however they may feel about their "authentic selves". In some sports, this puts female participants in real danger.