Statement on HB276
February 9, 2021
This past Wednesday, six lawmakers in the Georgia State House of Representatives introduced HB 276 – a bill that would make it illegal for trans girls and women to participate on sports teams with their cisgender peers. This is one of many similar bills filed in state legislatures across the country as part of a coordinated attack on the rights of trans and gender diverse people in the U.S.
If passed, HB 276 would require all public and private K-12 schools and state universities to discriminate against trans and gender diverse student athletes. Hyperbolic and unsupported claims of unfair competition are no justification for systemically discriminating against children as young as 5 years old. This bill serves no legitimate purpose and is yet another thinly veiled attempt to advance a bigoted, transphobic agenda.
Reproductive Justice envisions a world where parents can raise their children in safe and supportive communities. This means that every child should be given the opportunity to participate in activities that enrich their lives physically and mentally. Georgia’s legislators should be giving schools the resources they need to support and affirm trans and gender diverse students. Instead, House Representatives Singleton, Cantrell, Lott, Jones, Carpenter, and Mathiak are trying to require Georgia schools to discriminate against them.
Learn how to make your voice heard on this bill and other Reproductive Justice policy issues by registering for LegislateTHIS!, SPARK’s annual training and advocacy day. LegislateTHIS! will build up your advocacy skills and explore ways to affect change both within and outside of the legislative process – from directly lobbying lawmakers to community based mutual aid.
More information and the full text of HB 276 is available here. The House Education Committee will be discussing this bill today, February 9, 2021, at 1:30 pm. You can watch a livestream of the conference here.
