The Arizona House passed a “pro-woman” bill Tuesday that would ban biological males who identify as female from competing on girls’ sports teams.
Republican state Rep. Nancy Barto sponsored House Bill 2706, which would require a genetic test to prove the biological sex of a student. The bill passed along party lines after an hourslong debate, at a vote of 31-29.
“Shot puts are heavier for boys. Girls’ basketballs are smaller. It makes a difference,” Barto said. “This is a pro-woman bill. This is a bill to save women’s sports because, frankly, it won’t be saved if we don’t clarify the law.”
The bill initially called for a three-step process to prove the biological sex of a student-athlete: a doctor’s statement on the athlete’s “internal and external reproductive anatomy,” “normal endogenously produced levels of testosterone,” and genetic testing.
Democrats in the state House complained the three requirements went too far and were overly invasive.
“I mean, if they want to debate genitals, I guess we’ll see,” Democratic state Rep. Isela Blanc said. “We’re talking about kids in sports that range in athletic ability, height, weight, age. And it’s all to go after transgender girls. It makes no sense. It’s completely wrong, inhumane, unkind, inappropriate, and just mean-spirited.”
Barto weakened the requirements in the bill to only a genetic test.
“Nobody wants to have too much of a heavy hand from the state,” Barto said. “What we want to make sure is done is that we clarify that men are not allowed to play on women’s teams and that there’s a way to determine their sex.”
The bill is now headed to the state Senate, which is controlled by Republicans.
