Arizona Trans Sports Ban Challenged

Two Arizona families have filed a legal challenge in federal court against S.B. 1165 which prohibits transgender girls from competing in school sports in that state. This comes on the same day that the U.S. House of Representatives moves toward a floor vote on the mean-spirited so-called “Protection of Women & Girls in Sports Act of 2023” targeting transgender children. S.B. 1165 is one of the hundreds of anti-LGBTQ laws pushed in state legislatures across the country in the past couple of years. Healthcare organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics & the American Psychological Association have opposed such legislation as well as the National Coalition for Women & Girls in Education. The Plaintiffs are represented by the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) & the Law Firms Debevoise & Plimpton LLP & Osborn Maledon P.A. Rachel Berg, NCLR Staff Attorney stated, “This law bans transgender girls from competing with other girls in every sport, at every grade level & regardless of each girl’s individual circumstances. It cannot survive constitutional scrutiny & it endangers transgender children.” Justin R. Rassi, Associate at Debevoise & Plimpton LLP concluded, “We are proud to stand up for our clients’ rights to try out for & participate on girls’ sports teams. Numerous courts around this country have struck down similar bans & S.B. 1165 should meet that same fate.” The students included in the challenge are transgender girls who love sports & just want to participate in sports with other girls. Courts have struck down similar legislation in Utah, Idaho, Indiana & West Virginia.

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