South Dakota's Gov. Kristi Noem will sign bill BANNING transgender athletes from participating in girls' sports: Republican says she is 'defending women' against Biden's push on gender identity
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem says she will sign a bill that limits girls' sports at public schools in the state to biological females - hitting back against Joe Biden, who's pushed to open competition to transgender girls.
The new rule will require parents to submit a signed statement every year vouching for the biological sex of their children who want to participate in sports.
It comes as debate simmers nationally over whether transgender girls and women should be able to participate in sports with biological girls and women - with some arguing that it creates unfair competition.
Mississippi's governor said last week that he would sign a similar bill, according to NBC - banning the participation of transgender athletes from competing on girls' or women's sports team - making both states the first two in the nation to set policy on the issue.
Noem announced she would sign the bill on Monday afternoon - marking International Women's Day by 'defending women's sports,' she tweeted.
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem is prepared to sign a bill targeting transgender athletes
'I'm excited to sign this bill very soon.'
KOTA TV reports that the bill passed the state's senate by a 20-15 vote on Monday, clearing the way for the bill to make its way to Noem's desk.
In February, the bill easily passed in the House by a 50-17 vote.
Noem has been listed as a presidential contender for 2024 and spoke at the Conservative Political Action Committee last month - signaling her interest on the national stage.
Her support for the bill drew condemnation from liberal groups in South Dakota.
'In an attempt to ‘level the playing field,’ House Bill 1217 excludes an entire group of women and girls from meaningful participation in sports,' ACLU of South Dakota advocacy manager Jett Jonelis said.
'House Bill 1217 isn’t about protecting fairness in women’s sports. It’s about erasing and excluding trans people from participation in all aspects of public life.'
The ACLU of South Dakota was among those who opposed the bill, along with the South Dakota High School Activities Association and The Transformation Project, a non-profit that empowers transgender youth and young adults in the state.
KELO reports several rallies were planned in defense of transgender rights in the state at the end of February.
Noem will sign the bill in the coming days, which will require public school athletes to play for sporting teams that match their biological sex, rather than their gender identity
'We want to send a message to legislators that anti-trans legislation is not needed in South Dakota and it’s not wanted in South Dakota,' Susan Williams, executive director of the Transformation Project Advocacy Network, said at the time.
At least 20 states are considering this type of legislation in the coming months, according to NPR.
As for the South Dakota bill, it will require schools and athletic associations to collect written permission slips each year in regard to the 'reproductive biology' of every student public school athlete in the state, approximately 40,000 athletes.
Joe Biden signed an executive order on his first day in office, which called for the combating of discrimination, including allowing students to compete under the chosen gender identity
The South Dakota bill comes along weeks after Joe Biden issued an executive order calling for schools to allow students to compete in sports under the gender identity they choose.
'Children should be able to learn without worrying about whether they will be denied access to the restroom, the locker room, or school sports,' the order reads.
'All persons should receive equal treatment under the law, no matter their gender identity or sexual orientation.'
Biden issued the executive order during his first day in office.
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