South Carolina Passes Bill Banning Transgender Athletes From Women's Sports

AUSTIN, TX – SEPTEMBER 20: Demonstrators supporting restrictions on transgender student athletes are gathered at the Texas State Capitol on the first day of the 87th Legislature’s third special session on September 20, 2021 in Austin, Texas. Following a second special session that saw the passage of controversial voting and abortion laws, Texas lawmakers have convened at the Capitol for a third special session to address more of Republican Gov. Greg Abbott’s conservative priorities which include redistricting, the distribution of federal COVID-19 relief funds, vaccine mandates and restrictions on how transgender student athletes can compete in sports.

(Photo by Tamir Kalifa/Getty Images)

The NCAA has yet to comment on the issue, which was brought to light when Lia Thomas a transgender swimmer who was born male won an NCAA swimming title. Some states have begun to take their own actions to prevent other athletes from doing the same. And South Carolina is one of those states. The SC State Senate passed the legislation on Wednesday which would ban transgender athletes in elementary school through college sports. The bill passed 30-10. The House previously approved it in April.

The argument in the bill states that public schools have designated "sex-specific" teams in order to keep it fair for female athletes. It's nicknamed "Save Women's Sports". Those who object say it's just a transphobic reaction. They also say that the fight should be focused on equal pay for women's sports.

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So what's next? Now that the South Carolina transgender athletes bill has passed the house and senate it needs to be ratified and sent to the Governor for signature. Governor McMaster has not indicated whether or not he plans to sign the legislation.

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Melanie DayWriter

Melanie Day is a graduate of North Carolina State University. She has worked for Beasley since 2012 in a variety of behind-the-scenes roles in both digital and promotions. Melanie writes about a diverse range of topics some of her favorites include travel, restaurants, Taylor Swift, and college athletics. When not at work you'll find her at a country concert or NC State sporting event.