Starting soon: The Ohio House Primary and Secondary Education Committee is hearing sponsor testimony for HB 61, the transgender athlete ban.

Watch here: http://www.ohiochannel.org/live/ohio-house-primary-and-secondary-education-committee

House Bill 61 would ban trans youth from participating in school sports—from elementary school through college.

This bill's goal is to invalidate, ignore, and dehumanize the lives of transgender and gender non-binary youth.

Allowing trans youth to participate in sports on the team of their choosing is harmful to *no one*, but prohibiting them from doing so spreads misinformation, bias, and stigma, which can be incredibly harmful.

If you're reading this wondering, "What can I do?"

You can take action to protect young trans Ohioans by using @URGE_org's form: https://p2a.co/q2V41m4?fbclid=IwAR0zk5bsKuhaU8cwhpVZaUyd91JVBFPpX-2hTsBqd4kcAOvTmdjqKUK6qCo

Ironically enough, prior to HB 61's hearing, the committee is hearing legislation (HB 147) from @K_Boggs18 & @MaryLightbody that would stop harassment & bullying in schools.

Next, the committee will hear legislation that would ban trans kids from playing sports.

Sponsor testimony from Rep. Jena Powell & Rep. Reggie Stoltzfus on HB 61 has started.

As a reminder, this legislation is not based in science and only exists to attack transgender children who want to participate in school sports.

FYI: There are already policies in place to ensure fairness for all.

Rep. Jena Powell stated that the transgender athlete ban was needed to "preserve women's rights."

1. Allowing trans youth to participate in sports on the team of their choosing is harmful to *no one.*

2. Rep. Powell has fought to restrict abortion access across Ohio.

The simple fact is that every part of House Bill 61 is deeply rooted in transphobia.

Call it what it is: transphobic.

Shout out to @cingram32 for calling out the transphobia & hate rooted in HB 61.

. @ForSobecki: "How does [this bill] respect privacy between the doctor and the patient?"

Spoiler: It doesn't.

You don't get to spend your career trying to attack & eliminate reproductive health care across Ohio, and then turn around and claim to care about "women's rights."

cc: State Rep. Powell & Stoltzfus, and any other Ohio Republican.

When asked how a hypothetical future ban on gender-affirming care for trans youth could impact this bill (since it would require trans girls to take hormones before participating in sports), Rep. Powell doesn't have an answer.

That's enough transphobia for one day.

Trans rights are human rights.

To act against this legislation, fill out this form with @URGE_org, follow @EqualityOhio, and speak out against this as much as you can. https://p2a.co/q2V41m4?fbclid=IwAR2N4qPbcsFDkQTIqpNF-HeG8DtwLDr2-aaG1SJCSPuLvNVAL0c4yH8F86w