Mother, transgender woman react to Sanders’ Title IX executive order
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LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – On August 1, it will be federal law that transgender athletes will be allowed to participate in women’s sports, but on Thursday, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders said the Natural State “will not comply.”
Sanders signed an executive order aimed at protecting students, girls and women in athletics. The governor said Thursday’s order is in reaction to changes made to the U.S. Department of Education’s Title IX rule.
Title IX is designed to prevent discrimination in sports and is often used to support equity in women’s athletics alongside men’s sports.
Allie Beth Stuckey supports Sanders’ executive order and said she appreciates her for protecting young women.
“To think about a future in which my daughters will not be able to access sex-exclusive spaces, locker rooms, bathrooms, sports teams are terrifying to me,” Stuckey said.
She added that, “men are bigger, faster and stronger, in general, than women are. That’s why we have sex-exclusive spaces and teams.”
Jo’jo Smith is the outreach coordinator for the organization Intransitive. She said Sanders’ executive order is “dehumanizing” to those who are transgender.
“If you don’t feel comfortable, give us a space,” Smith said. “If you don’t want us in the restroom, give us one.”
Finalized Biden Title IX regulations add protections for transgender students
Smith said she feels the same way about transgender people participating in sports but would prefer to not feel left out of society.
With Sanders’ executive order in place, Smith asks “Should they not be allowed to play any type of sports?”
The executive order also reinforces Arkansas laws such as the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act and the Given Name Act, that discourage gender identity changes past those assigned at birth.
Stuckey agrees with this as well, saying, “You can’t redefine something that is biologically true.”
Smith said, “The language that Sarah Huckabee Sanders uses against our community is very harmful.”
More Republican states challenge new Title IX rules protecting LGBTQ+ students
Arkansas isn’t the only state that’s not on board with the new Title IX rules. Other states include Florida, Louisiana and Oklahoma.
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