Mississippi Fairness Act (Senate Bill 2536) on Governor's desk

Jackson--Legislation designed to prevent transgender people from competing in female sports in K-12 schools and at colleges and universities is on its way to Gov. Tate Reeves’ desk for signature.

On Wednesday the “Mississippi Fairness Act” passed the state House 81-28 with Rep. Becky Currie, R-Brookhaven, refusing to take any questions about the legislation after providing a brief explanation of the proposal from the well of the House.

The bill, written by Sen. Angela Burks Hill, R-Picayune, would prevent transgender students from participating in both varsity and intramural sports designated for the gender in which they identify. The legislation states: “Athletic teams or sports designated for ‘females,’ ‘women’ or ‘girls’ shall not be open to students of the male sex.”

If there was any question about a person’s gender, that person could go to a doctor to have the issue clarified based on genetics and other factors.

“Allowing males to compete in girls’ sports destroys fair competition and women’s athletic opportunities,” Currie said.

At no point during the legislative process this year could a supporter of the bill pinpoint a time in which this issue has come up at any educational institution in Mississippi. Transgender competition in female sports has been a hot topic in national social conservative circles and the subject of lawsuits in some states. The administration of new President Joe Biden has advocated for equal rights for