Today, the Senate Education Committee voted to advance Senate File 51, legislation that would ban transgender women and girls from competing on the sports teams that match their gender identity.
The ACLU of Wyoming opposes Senate File 51. This bill violates both the United States Constitution and Title IX of the Civil Rights Act, which protects all students – including those who are transgender – from discrimination based on sex.
Senate File 51 is a distraction from the real priorities – including finalizing the once-in-a decade redistricting plan and spending American Rescue Plan Act funds from the Federal government – that Wyoming legislators are debating during the fast-paced budget session
“This discriminatory legislation is a distraction from Wyoming's real priorities and attempts to solve a problem that does not exist,” said Antonio Serrano, ACLU of Wyoming advocacy manager. “Transgender students participate in sports for the same reasons other young people do: to challenge themselves, to stay fit and healthy and to be a part of a team. Trans students’ humanity, dignity, and ability to be full members of their school communities should never be up for debate like this.”
Wyoming has not seen any issues with transgender women or girls competing in sports. The Wyoming High School Activities Association already has a policy in place for transgender athletes. Likewise, the NCAA also has clear policies on the inclusion of transgender student-athletes and their participation in intercollegiate athletics.
“If supporters of Senate File 51 really wanted to protect fairness in women’s sports, they would tackle the actual threats to women’s sports such as severe underfunding, lack of media coverage, sexist ideologies that suggest that women and girls are weak, and pay equity for coaches,” Serrano said. “It’s obvious that this discriminatory legislation is about solving problems that don’t exist.”
About the ACLU of Wyoming
The American Civil Liberties Union of Wyoming is a non-partisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation and enhancement of civil liberties and civil rights. The ACLU of Wyoming is part of a three-state chapter that also includes North Dakota and South Dakota. The team in Wyoming is supported by staff in those states.
The ACLU believes freedoms of press, speech, assembly, and religion, and the rights to due process, equal protection and privacy, are fundamental to a free people. In addition, the ACLU seeks to advance constitutional protections for groups traditionally denied their rights, including people of color, women, and the LGBTQ communities. The ACLU of Wyoming carries out its work through selective litigation, lobbying at the state and local level, and through public education and awareness of what the Bill of Rights means for the people of Wyoming.
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