A bill creating limited access for transgender women competing in women’s sports is likely dead according to its sponsor, Sen. Kelli Stargel (R-22).
Stargel released a statement yesterday after she postponed her bill in its final committee stop saying she is having to direct her attention to Florida’s constitutional amendment of balancing the budget.
“Right now, my primary focus as Appropriations Chair is our constitutional responsibility to pass a balanced budget, and in a time-limited environment, I don’t know that we will have sufficient time to revisit SB 2012 this session,” said Stargel.
The bill was not an outright ban on transgender women competing in women’s sports, instead the athlete would have to declare female identity at school then maintain a specified testosterone level for 12 months before competing and throughout the rest of their athletic career. Biological males, however, would be barred from female competition.
“I believe Florida should protect the ability of girls and women to safely participate in athletics, and I think there is consensus among my colleagues surrounding that underlying policy objective,” Stargel said.
Democrats and civil rights advocates said the bill was discriminatory and despite working to protect women’s sports, they said it would be harmful to the people it is trying to help. Democrat Sen. Janet Cruz (D-18) was glad to see the bill halted.
Ding dong the witch is dead. Rip Transgender bill! pic.twitter.com/RYYMzbBuqe
— Janet Cruz (@SenJanetCruz) April 20, 2021
The Florida House passed similar legislation earlier in April, however the House bill was a ban on all transgender women from competing in women’s sports.
Among other critics was the NCAA, who issued a statement last week saying states like Florida who supported and passed legislation similar could be ineligible to host future collegiate championships. Twenty other states are considering taking up transgender athlete bills.
Florida House Speaker Chris Sprowls (R-65) responded to the NCAA saying “we couldn’t care less” after the House passed its version of the bill.
While Stargel said the bill will likely not advance this session, she still believes respect and dignity can be upheld for people going through a transition as well as maintaining the integrity of women’s sports.
“We want to get there in a manner that respects the inherent dignity of each person, while at the same time acknowledging the fact that the biological differences between men and women can be significant and can vary based on how far along a person is within their transition,” Stargel said.
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Grant Holcomb is a reporter at the Florida Capital Star and the Star News Network. Follow Grant on Twitter and direct message tips.
