(File Photo of Pa State Rep. Josh Kail during Rappin with the Reps on Beaver County Radio)

Story By Frank Sparks, News/ Program Director 
(Harrisburg, Pa.)  Pennsylvania lawmakers voted after a tense debate to approve a bill designed to prohibit transgender girls from competing in girls’ school sports. All but one Republican and four Democrats voted for the proposal Tuesday. It would restrict players on K-12 school teams, college sports, intramurals and club teams sponsored by school entities to male or female teams based on their reproductive organs, biology or genetics at birth. It would prevent “students of the male sex” from playing on athletic teams designated for women or girls and provide a way for students and schools to sue, including against athletic organizations.

Pa State Representative (15th) Josh Kail released a statement about why he voted for the bill. Kail said via release that  “Title IX was designed specifically to create a level playing field. Right now, the integrity of women’s sports is jeopardized because biological males, who transition to female, are allowed to compete in women’s sports. From physiological to hormonal differences, males hold a significant athletic advantage over women.

“Lia Thomas, a biological male who shattered women’s swimming records at the University of Pennsylvania, competed on the university’s men’s team for three years before eventually transitioning to a female. Most recently, Thomas won a Division I national championship in the 500-yard freestyle, squandering the hopes and dreams of biological women who looked to reach the pinnacle of the sport.

“Athletes who aspire to compete at the highest level could be overlooked for scholarships, as well as life-changing opportunities and results, simply because of this imbalance. While a student can file legal challenges for damages over lack of athletic opportunities among other reasons, it should never come down to that.

“I am pleased to see my colleagues join me in saying enough is enough and support protection of women’s sports. I commend the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Barbara Gleim of Cumberland County, for bringing this important legislation forward.”

The bill goes to the state Senate for its consideration, and faces a potential veto from Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf.