Trans girls to be excluded from physical education classes
The situation for transsexuals in the USA is not really encouraging. More and more details point out that also in the future laws will be passed that will discriminate more against this part of the community.
Among other things, it is particularly frightening that transgender girls living in the US state of Oklahoma, for example, will no longer be allowed to participate in school sports if a bill to this effect continues to be waved through. The parents of the children will also be brought on board. They will have to confirm in writing that their offspring really lives out the gender they were "given" at birth.
The explanation of those who are in favor of said law is quickly summarized. They are of the opinion that in sports only "girls against girls" and "boys against boys" should be allowed to compete. Period. There is nothing to be seen here of a look beyond the end of one's nose, even away from the biological sex.
What exactly is behind the new law?
The name of the new law is "Save Women's Sports". The whole thing is not surprising insofar as many conservative circles have made it their task anyway to protect society - as they call it - through appropriate guidelines. And so the ban on trans girls in sports is (obviously) intended to "save" female sports.
Shockingly, however, Oklahoma is not the only U.S. state that wants to pass this transphobic law. Quite the opposite. Rather, Oklahoma joins a longer list of states.
But: It would certainly also have been naive to assume that there would be no counter-protests for this. Among other things, many activists are bothered by the fact that the law is directed against children and young people and excludes them from society. The law would make people feel bad and not accepted. And that is precisely what must be prevented.
The counter-protests in question are, of course, not only taking place in Oklahoma, but now also in many other US states. The argumentation is almost always the same. In addition, it can be observed that demonstrations are now taking place not only on site, but also in the social media. The topic has made it into the news... and is the subject of sometimes more, sometimes less lively discussions.
How many children and young people are affected by the trans ban in sports?
Due to homophobia and transphobia and the everyday discrimination that young people and children are exposed to, not only in the USA, many people do not dare to come out. Therefore, only the official figures can be used at this point. The number of unreported cases is probably higher.
According to current statistics, about two to three percent of people currently attending high school in the U.S. are believed to be transgender. Accordingly, if the laws are waved through in individual states, a large number of trans girls could be denied access to sports.
But the message that resonates subliminally here is also disappointing. After all, for many people, sport is not just "a bit of exercise," but one thing above all: fun. In addition, sports are repeatedly associated with the fight against depression. Regular exercise is said to support the release of endorphins and other substances. According to statistics, many transsexual people also suffer from depression. If they are deprived of the opportunity to do what they enjoy (and what is good for their body at the same time), it could be that their quality of life suffers even further.
Therefore, it is perhaps especially important for people in the USA now not to give up and instead to fight for transphobic laws not to be passed as planned.
Already asked how to find Helpful Tips for Dealing with the War