GA Senate Bill To Ban Trans Athletes From Girls' Sports Advances

GEORGIA — The Georgia Senate voted to pass a bill that would ban transgender athletes from participating in girls’ school sports.

Senate Bill 435, which is sponsored by Sen. Marty Harbin (R-Tyrone), would prohibit biological males from competing in sports programs at public and private schools intended for biological females.

The only exception to this would be if no equivalent sport existed for males, according to the bill.

"The General Assembly finds that protecting females from harm and preserving the fairness of sports are important state interests," a portion of the bill reads. "It is the intent of the General Assembly to ensure that females have equal and safe opportunities to succeed in sports."

Despite efforts by Sen. Sally Harrell (D-Atlanta) to table the bill often referred to as the "Save Girls' Sports Act," lawmakers approved it in a 34 to 22 vote Thursday. No Democrat supported the bill, including Harrell.

"The bill before us was sloppy and premature," Harrell posted to Facebook. "And I knew there were lots of kids who identify as gender non-conforming listening. So I went to the well and said, 'I'm the mother of a trans child, and I want this to stop.'"

" I didn't get any Republicans to change their votes, but I hope their hearts changed at least a little," she continued. "I will keep speaking the truth, calling out evil, and while I'm at it, I'll use my position to get a few good things done."

Sen. Michelle Au (D-Johns Creek), who is also a physician, voted against the bill.

"Many such bills don’t seem to understand the difference between biological sex and gender," she tweeted. "Trans athletes ARE asking to participate in sports programs for people of the same gender. So figure out what you’re talking about before, you know, writing it into law."

Meanwhile, the Georgia Senate said it isn't fair to force girls to compete against biological males.

"Nor is it fair to expect young girls to endure the tremendous social pressure if they speak up for fairness," the Georgia Senate tweeted.

The bill now heads to the Georgia House for consideration.