New York Democrats Call on School Advisory Board to Rescind Resolution Banning Transgender Student-Athletes

New York City Democrats asked a group of elected parent leaders to rescind a resolution that could prevent transgender student-athletes from competing on sports teams that match their gender identity, calling the measure “hateful, discriminatory and actively harmful” for students.

In March, the District 2 Community Education Board, a parent-led advisory board that represents one of Manhattan’s largest local districts, passed a resolution calling for a “comprehensive review” of city guidelines that since 2019 have allowed transgender student-athletes participate according to their gender identity. Current guidelines, they argued, “present challenges to young athletes and coaches.”

New York City Public Schools must “immediately convene” a review committee that includes female athletes, parents and coaches, as well as “relevant medical professionals and experts in evolutionary biology,” states the resolution, which is non-binding. City education department officials said the department will reject the resolution and has no intention of revising the current guidelines.

State LGBTQ Democrats said in March that they “stand firmly against” the resolution and “any attempts to undermine the rights and dignity of transgender individuals.”

The resolution, they said, “is based on the false premise that gender identity policy has a negative impact on female athletes and stems from the mistaken notion that the inclusion of transgender students in sports diminishes the experience of other student athletes.” .

On Monday, a coalition of 18 New York Democratic elected officials, including Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.), called for the resolution to be formally rescinded.

“Our school system must uphold justice and equity, not bigotry and hate,” they wrote in a letter to council members. “Our community boards of education must fight for every student, not attack, ridicule, or marginalize the vulnerable. We strongly support trans people everywhere and urge CEC to do the same.”

Officials argued that while some parents said they were “simply asking for a conversation” when introducing the resolution, “that conversation was based on the anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric that is spreading in our country, state, city and school districts, and the impact It’s heartbreaking.”

Half of the country has decided to ban transgender student-athletes from competing on sports teams that match their gender identity through state-level legislation.

A Nassau County executive order banning transgender women and girls from participating in women’s athletic events was overturned this month after New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) called the order “transphobic and blatantly illegal.” .

This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story