Utah has stopped enforcement of a recently enacted law banning transgender girls from participating in women's sports teams. This was after Republican state legislators voted to override the governor's veto on the bill. Earlier this year.
Third District Court Judge Keith Kelly said the law would "absolutely prohibit" a transgender girl from being singled out and competing on her team in girls' sports. We have determined that you are likely in violation of the equal protection guaranteed by
"At the same time, other girls are free to compete. This is a clear disadvantage," he said in an August 19 ruling granting a preliminary injunction freezing enforcement of the law.
After two days of hearings, the court ruled that, as the 2022-2023 school year begins, the state should "allow all transgender girls to compete on the women's team." It concluded that there were no compelling reasons to categorically ban it.
The ruling represents an important victory for transgender athletes and their families in the state. Three transgender girls and their families filed lawsuits challenging the law in May. arguing that the law undermines equal rights and due process protections.
Debbie Law, parent of a transgender student-athlete in the state, said she was "relieved" by the court's ruling.
"We appreciate the courts' understanding of how much harm this law has caused. It is a cause of great stress and trauma for our children." '" she said in a statement on Friday. "Our daughter, like any other child, wants the chance to make friends and play for the team she loves. Today's ruling gives her the opportunity to do just that."
The ruling also follows reports this week that the Utah High School Activities Association secretly investigated whether one student-athlete was transgender without telling his parents.. Girls who won 2nd and 3rd place in the state tournament.
Utah High School Activities Association's David Spatafore told Deseret News that he had no choice but to investigate the allegations after they were filed.
His office received one complaint from her that the girl "does not look feminine enough."
In the absence of legislation, states have established separate processes to determine whether transgender athletes can participate in gender-appropriate sports.
A panel of political appointees will determine eligibility on a case-by-case basis, including an assessment of the athlete's weight, height, and gender availability.
The committee will include a small number of athletic her trainers and doctors, including a doctor with "expertise in analyzing medical data" and another doctor involved in gender-affirming healthcare. is.
InMarch, the state's Republican-dominated legislature voted to override Spencer's Governor Cox's veto of House Bill 11. The governor exercised a strong veto urging "kindness, mercy, mercy."
Governor Cox told the state legislative leadership that only four transgender students in the state participated in high school sports and participated in women's sports. He explained that there was only one transgender student.
"Rarely has so much fear and anger been directed at so few people," he wrote.. "I don't understand what they're going through or why they feel that way. But I want them to live. Even acceptance and connection have been shown to significantly reduce suicidal tendencies.
At least 12 states are moving to ban transgender athletes from sports, which is Republican lawmakers and influential conservative Christian groups promoteda series of lawsto target LGBT+ youth.The majority of these bills is targeted at transgender youth.
