Legislators in Maryland are coming under fire for how they have handled a contentious bill that would bar transgender youth from playing girls’ sports.
A global discussion concerning inclusion and justice in sports has been spurred by the bill, which is known as Maryland House Bill 156.
However, questions concerning the First Amendment and free speech have been raised by the recent Annapolis proceedings. Accusations have been made that
Democratic politicians are suppressing public input on the bill after a General Assembly committee this week discussed it but chose to prevent any public testimony.
Republican Delegate Kathy Szeliga introduced the “Fairness in Girls’ Sports Act,” a bill that she claims compromises safety and justice by permitting biological boys to participate in girls’ sports.
“I’ve had opponents contact my office and say, ‘look, we’re disappointed we can’t get in person to weigh in against your bill’ and of course people who are for my bill,” Szeliga stated.
According to Szeliga, the integrity of women’s sports is compromised because transgender girls, who were assigned male at birth, have physical advantages over biological females.
Although the measure has garnered a lot of support from people who agree with her, proponents of transgender rights have opposed it, claiming that it discriminates against transgender children.
Even though the law is controversial, Wednesday’s committee meeting was unusually quiet.
“For all sponsor-only oral testimony bills, we accept unlimited written testimony and we do not time sponsors when they testify although we reserve the right,” Democratic Del. Vanessa Attenbeary stated.
The chair of the Ways and Means Committee made the controversial decision to forbid public testimony, which would have prevented both bill supporters and opponents from speaking at the hearing.
A bill that was submitted in a previous session, such as the “Fairness in Girls’ Sports Act,” is exempt from the committee’s requirement to receive public oral testimony under Maryland’s General Assembly regulations.
“They’re saying ‘this bill’s been brought up before’ Therefore there’s going to be no public testimony. That’s a real First Amendment issue,” Dan Nash with the Christ Reformed Evangelical Church stated.
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Even though this may be within the letter of the law, many people—especially those who had come to voice their opinions—have opposed the decision.
Backlash has been generated by the decision to bar public testimony, with some claiming that Maryland Democrats are violating people’s First Amendment rights and stifling free speech.
Strong opinions have been expressed in response to the move, particularly by individuals who believe their worries regarding transgender inclusion in sports have gone unheard.
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Although the Democratic majority in the House and Senate makes it doubtful that the law would succeed, a companion bill is still in the state Senate.
The bill’s supporters are hoping to be permitted to testify at the hearing next month. In Maryland and throughout the nation, the question of transgender athletes’ involvement in sports continues to be a contentious and intensely personal one.
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