Ohio introduces bill to ban transgender women from participating in high school and college sports – The Cauldron

On Feb. 15, Ohio introduced a bill that would prohibit transgender women from participating in high school and college level sports.

Ohio House Bill 6, otherwise known as the “Save Women’s Sports Act,” was brought forth by Republican Representative Jena Powell. It states “Each school that participates in athletic competitions or events administered by an organization that regulates interscholastic athletic conferences or events shall designate interscholastic athletic teams based on the sex”. Meaning only those assigned female at birth would be allowed to participate in female sport teams, as with male. This does not include co-ed sport teams. 

If passed, schools that do not abide by the bill may have civil action taken against them. 

This bill mimics similar Ohio bills that have been introduced within the last three years, all deemed the “Save Women’s Sports Act,” all of which died before being passed into law. Each year, the Ohio GOP introduces the bill with a slight change in language in hopes of passing the bill.

However, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has stated he would not sign any bills banning transgender athletes from participating in sports of their chosen sex, but would not state whether or not he would veto. 

“This issue is best addressed outside of government, through individual sports leagues and athletic associations, including the Ohio High School Athletic Association, who can tailor policies to meet the needs of their member athletes and member institutions,” DeWine said in a statement.  

Currently in Ohio, transgender females must undergo a minimum of one year of hormonal treatment and demonstrate that she does not possess any physical or physiological advantages before participating in high school or college level sports. 

In 2023 so far, OHSAA has reported only six transgender students in Ohio who are currently playing for girls’ high school sports teams. 

HB6 had its first hearing on March 8, International Women’s Day, where opponents of the bill expressed concern for the mental health of transgender minors seeking to participate in sports and noted the positive effects of joining sports teams in high school and college.

“I’m concerned about transgender girls in our schools right now… who are simply looking for an opportunity to participate in a team, to have greater acceptance for who they are from team members and others in their community, it’s their mental health that I’m concerned about,” Representative Mary Lightbody stated. 

Lightbody continued by asking the committee, “Have you considered how difficult this will be for kids who are already vulnerable to bullying?” 

In the past few months, Ohio has introduced two other anti-trans bills, Ohio House Bill 68, which seeks to ban gender-affirming care for trans minors, and Ohio House bill 113 that attempts to designate March 12th as “Detrans Awareness Day”, just weeks before International Transgender Day of Visibility on March 31st. 

OHB6 follows various bills across the nation that seek to alter transgender individuals’ participation in youth athletics. 

Studies conclude that there is currently “no direct or consistent research suggesting transgender female individuals (or male individuals) have an athletic advantage at any stage of their transition”.