As cultural shifts raise LGBTQ visibility, the lawmakers argue transgender athletes can have a physical advantage and could eventually dominate the field and change the nature of women’s sports.
SALT LAKE CITY — Utah’s Republican lawmakers were preparing for a Friday push to override Gov. Spencer Cox’s veto of legislation banning transgender youth athletes from playing on girls teams, a move that comes amid a brewing nationwide culture war over transgender issues.
Leaders in the deeply conservative Legislature say they need to pass the law to protect women’s sports. They argue transgender athletes can have a physical advantage and could eventually dominate the field and change the nature of women’s sports. The group Visit Salt Lake, which hosts conferences, shows and events, said the override could cost the state $50 million in lost revenue. The Utah-based DNA-testing genealogy giant Ancestry.com also urged the Legislature to find another way.
Friday’s deliberations come after more than a year of debate and negotiation between social conservatives and LGBTQ advocates. Republican sponsor Rep. Kera Birkeland worked with Cox and civil rights activists at Equality Utah before introducing legislation that would require transgender student-athletes to go before a government-appointed commission.
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