On 50th Anniversary of Title IX, Hirono Blocks GOP Attempt to Advance Anti-Transgender Legislation

Press Release

Today, Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, blocked Republicans from advancing the anti-transgender Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, legislation to ban transgender women and girls from participating in sports consistent with their gender. In her remarks on the Senate floor, Senator Hirono disputed the false, detrimental claim that allowing trans women and girls to play sports is harmful to cisgender women and girls, and highlighted the ways in which this legislation would harm all women and girls.

"My Republican colleagues falsely claim that allowing transgender women and girls to play sports is harmful to cisgender women and girls. They continue to hurl insulting lies about transgender girls dominating sports," said Senator Hirono. "If my Republican colleagues were actually worried about women and girls in athletics, they would join our efforts to address unequal athletic opportunities in school, unequal pay, sexual abuse and harassment, and more. But this isn't about supporting women and girls, this is about discrimination."

Senator Hirono's remarks come on the 50th anniversary of Title IX, which outlawed sex-based discrimination in schools and was championed by the late Hawaii Congresswoman Patsy Mink. Earlier today, Senator Hirono delivered remarks at the Capitol honoring Congresswoman Mink and celebrating the legacy of Title IX.

"Republicans have the wrong priorities. We shouldn't be banning anyone from playing sports--we should be fighting the discrimination that all women and girls continue to face in athletics, in the classroom, and in the workplace. I am proud to stand up and oppose this harmful legislation and continue to advance Patsy Mink's legacy of equal opportunities for all," Senator Hirono added.

Senator Hirono's full remarks are below and video of her remarks can be found here.

Mr. President, reserving the right to object, I rise today in opposition to S. 251--legislation that would ban transgender women and girls from participating in sports consistent with their gender.

My Republican colleagues falsely claim that allowing transgender women and girls to play sports is harmful to cisgender women and girls. They continue to hurl insulting lies about transgender girls dominating sports.

But what is true, is that these bans are deeply harmful to transgender girls--particularly transgender girls of color--girls who are gender nonconforming or born with intersex traits, as well as cisgender girls. These "sex tests" invade every girls' privacy and open the door to harass anyone who is perceived as "different."

If my Republican colleagues were actually worried about women and girls in athletics, they would join in our efforts to address unequal athletic opportunities in school, unequal pay, sexual abuse and harassment, and more.

But this isn't about supporting women and girls, this is about discrimination.

Earlier today, I stood in statutory hall as we unveiled the portrait of the late Congresswoman Patsy T. Mink on today's 50th anniversary of Title IX becoming law.

Title IX, which was renamed the Patsy T. Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act, says, and I quote, "no person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance."

37 words that are just as relevant today as they were 50 years ago. Patsy fought for equal opportunities for all, and this bill stands in direct opposition to her work.

And to listen to my colleague talking about Title IX as being that act that is going to support his bill, I can tell you as someone who knew and was friends with Patsy T. Mink, she would be standing right next to me to say that Title IX in no way or shape supports what my colleague is attempting to do.

Republicans have the wrong priorities. We shouldn't be banning anyone from playing sports--we should be fighting the discrimination that all women and girls continue to face in athletics, in the classroom, and in the workplace.

I am proud to stand up and oppose this harmful legislation and continue to advance Patsy Mink's legacy of equal opportunities for all.

For these reasons, I object.

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