Transgender sports ban advances out of Georgia Senate committee; adult gender-affirming care also under fire

“State lawmakers have advanced a bill expanding Georgia’s ban on transgender athletes in girls’ sports out of committee, and other Senate bills targeting gender-affirming care, including for adults, are already in the queue.

The Senate Education and Youth Committee passed a long-expected bill that aims to prevent transgender girls from playing school sports on girls’ teams at every grade level as well as college.

“The law bans boys from playing on teams designated for girls, though girls can play on teams designated for boys if there is no equivalent girls’ team. Schools would still be able to offer co-ed sports to any student. Colleges would also fall under the bill, and schools that buck the bill could lose state funding.

“The law would apply to private schools that play against public schools. The bill also sets up requirements for separate male and female restrooms and locker rooms and allows a complaint process.”

“[Dawson Democratic Sen. Freddie Powell] Sims also declined to comment on another proposal to cut off gender-affirming care, such as hormone therapy or gender reassignment surgery, for state workers, local educators and others on the state health insurance plan that is breaking new ground in the ongoing culture wars in Georgia.

“She and fellow Democratic Sen. Ed Harbison of Columbus joined more than two dozen Senate Republicans in sponsoring that bill, filed by Vidalia Republican state Sen. Blake Tillery this week.

“If it passes, it would prohibit coverage for gender-affirming care under the state’s insurance plan or through state-funded providers.”

“[Atlanta Democratic Sen. Elena] Parent said Tillery’s bill represents a shift in target.

“Until now, the transgender-related health care measures debated over the last couple years in Georgia have focused on minors, including another bill filed this week that would revive a controversial plan to ban puberty blockers for minors.

“‘So now they’re really invading into adult medical decisions,’ Parent said.”