SC bill would require transgender athletes compete based on biological sex
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WPDE) - South Carolina lawmakers want to prohibit transgender females from playing on girl's sports teams, and vice versa.
A proposed bill would amend a current law related to interscholastic activities and students competing based on their biological sex.
The legislation would amend section 59-39-160 of the 1976 code relating to participation in interscholastic activities:
"... to provide that a student's biological sex shall be conclusive in a determination concerning whether the student may participate on a team competing in an interscholastic activity that is under the jurisdiction of the South Carolina High School League."
The bill would also make it so the student must produce a birth certificate to establish the student's biological sex. Amended or revised birth certificates will not be accepted if the proposed bill were to be signed into law.
There have been a series of high-profile and controversial incidents involving transgender student-athletes. In one case, a transgender boy won a state title competing against biological girls.
Local lawmakers sponsoring the bill include Senators Greg Hembree and Stephen Goldfinch.
