From Rep. Jennifer McClellan (D-VA04)’s office:
McClellan Opposes H.R. 734, the Politics Over Participation Act
McClellan Fights a Federal Trans & Intersex Sports Ban
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) opposed H.R. 734, the so-called “Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act,” which would effectively ban transgender, non-binary, and intersex Americans, especially trans girls and women, from participating on school sports teams.
H.R. 734 would make it a violation of Title IX for recipients of federal financial assistance to allow transgender girls or women to participate in girls’ and women’s athletic programs.
“I strongly oppose this divisive legislation, because it places discriminatory barriers on women and girls in sports and strips them of these important social opportunities,” said Congresswoman McClellan. “If Republicans truly wanted to protect women’s sports, they should look at addressing the real and pressing problems within the industry, including sexual assault and harassment, pay inequality, and unequal access to resources. Unfortunately, this isn’t about sports: it’s about bullying trans and LGBTQI+ kids. As a member of the Equality Caucus, I will always stand up for the LGBTQI+ community and fight for equal protections under the law for every American.”
More than 175 advocacy, equal rights, and LGBTQI+ organizations oppose H.R. 734. More than 95 women’s and girls’ rights organizations, including the Women’s Sports Foundation and the National Women’s Law Center, also oppose H.R. 734.
The legislation passed the House 219 to 203.
Read the full text of the legislation here.
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