March 2, 2021
Contact:
Brian Juchems, GSAFE, (608) 235-5467, brianj@gsafewi.org
Megin McDonell, Fair Wisconsin, (608) 279-2659, megin.mcdonell@fairwisconsin.
Joint statement from GSAFE and Fair Wisconsin regarding the introduction of transgender student athlete bills in the Wisconsin Legislature
[Madison] Tuesday, a pair of bills is being introduced in the Wisconsin state legislature that would prohibit transgender student athletes from participating in organized sports at school.
The bills will add Wisconsin to a growing list of states that are introducing similar legislation as part of a coordinated effort to push back on recent gains in protections for transgender individuals.
Transgender youth athletes play sports for the exact same reasons as other students their age: Staying healthy, being part of a team, and fostering friendships—all lifelong benefits of playing a sport.
Transgender youth also face discrimination in their daily lives, and turn to sports as an affirming space. Preventing transgender students from participating sends a dangerous message and increases the risks to their physical and emotional wellbeing.
As we all continue to face hardship from COVID-19, we need our lawmakers to pay attention to issues that matter—not look for ways to make life harder for transgender youth.
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GSAFE increases the capacity of LGBTQ+ students, educators, and families to create schools in Wisconsin where all youth thrive. We do this by: Developing the leadership of LGBTQ+ students; Supporting Gay-Straight Alliances; Training educational staff; Advancing educational justice; Advocating for public policy; and Deepening racial, gender, trans, and social justice. LEARN MORE: gsafewi.org
Fair Wisconsin envisions a fair, safe, and inclusive society in which lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) people are treated with dignity and respect. We work to build a fair, safe, and inclusive Wisconsin by advancing, achieving, and protecting LGBTQ+ civil rights through lobbying, legislative advocacy, grassroots organizing, coalition building and electoral involvement. LEARN MORE: www.fairwisconsin.com