Wisconsin state superintendent opposes plan for fairness in girls sports

(The Center Square) – Opponents of two plans at the Wisconsin Capital to declare girls and women’s sports for biological girls and women only are painting a dire picture of what would happen if they became law.

Two assembly committees held hearings on the plans. One would prevent trans athletes from competing in girls sports in the University of Wisconsin system, and the other would do the same for trans athletes in Wisconsin public schools.

State Superintendent Jill Underly told lawmakers not allowing trans athletes to compete against biological girls and women could lead to an uptick in suicides.

“Hating people, isolating them and hurling insults at them because of their identity has never turned out well in our history,” Underly said. “Let’s call this anti-trans push for what it is, a dangerous lie. And for what the hate behind it can do, kill children.”

State Sen. Dan Knodl, R-Germantown, wrote the two plans. He said allowing biological men to take over women and girls sports in Wisconsin can and will do harm of its own.

“Allowing biological males to participate in female sports could deny deserving female athletes the recognition, scholarships and university admissions that come with athletic achievement. This is why we have Title IX protections, which exist to ensure equal opportunities for female athletes and to address these historical disparities,” Knodl said. “We have women’s sports for a reason.”

The top Democrat in Wisconsin Senate, Sen. Melissa Agard, D-Madison, calls the girls sports for girls proposals an attack on trans children.

“We know that mental health concerns among youth are on the rise, and that our LGBTQ+ youth are four times more likely to attempt suicide than their peers. Despite this, my Republican colleagues are choosing to legislate hate and discriminate against our trans kids who just want to live and grow as their true selves. The GOP is continuing these harmful attacks to score cheap political points with their extreme base,” Agard said. “My Democratic colleagues and I will advocate tirelessly on behalf of all LGBTQ+ individuals and their families. We will not stand for this unhinged platform and hateful rhetoric.”