Mark Takano: “I include in the Record letters from the ACLU, the Leadership Conference of Civil and Human Rights, and GLSEN, all in…”

“I include in the Record letters from the ACLU, the Leadership Conference of Civil and Human Rights, and GLSEN, all in opposition to H.R. 734. American Civil Liberties Union, Washington, DC, April 14, 2023. Dear Representative: The American Civil Liberties Union strongly urges you to oppose H.R. 734, the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act. This discriminatory and unconstitutional legislation would make it illegal for schools receiving federal funding to allow transgender girls and women to play on sports teams for girls and women, in violation of the Constitution's guarantee of equal protection. In addition, under Title IX, all girls, including those who are transgender, should be able to participate fully and equally in athletics, in accordance with who they are. This will be the first vote in congressional history to specifically single out transgender people for discrimination. Because of the importance of this vote, the ACLU will be scoring it. Across the country, state legislatures have advanced legislation to ban transgender children from participating in sports, particularly transgender girls. These legislators-- like the proponents of this legislation--have argued that passing these bans is necessary to protect sports for girls and women. There are a multitude of barriers facing female student athletes--from continued funding inequities to pay disparities among coaches and staff to harassment and abuse.…”