STATEHOUSE (April 13, 2022) – Local lawmakers support overriding Gov. Eric Holcomb’s veto of House Enrolled Act 1041, which they voted for to protect the integrity of girls’ K-12 sports in Indiana.
State Rep. Tim O’Brien (R-Evansville) said the bill would ensure biological males don’t compete in K-12 girls’ sports and stem from parents across the state sharing their concerns about the future of girls’ sports. Recently, House Speaker Todd Huston (R-Fishers) announced House lawmakers will return to the Statehouse to override the veto on May 24, which is the earliest the Indiana General Assembly can reconvene without the governor calling a special session.
“This is really about fairness,” O’Brien said. “Biological women should compete against other biological women to keep the playing field level. The rights of female athletes are being taken away, and we can’t see that happen in Indiana.”
A controversial, biological male swimmer at the University of Pennsylvania has recently dominated on the women’s team and broke two national swim records in women’s events. State Rep. Cindy Ledbetter (R-Newburgh) said there are biological differences that give males advantages over females in sports, including greater muscle mass and bone density, and larger hearts and lungs.
“There are distinct physical differences between biological males and biological females, and those differences matter in sports,” Ledbetter said. “We shouldn’t ignore science. Participation in school sports should be based on biological sex, not preferred gender. With this legislation, we can protect equal play in our state now and in the future.”
In June, the nation will recognize the 50th anniversary of the passage of Title IX, which ensured women have equal opportunity to play and compete in sports.
“In addition to the valuable life lessons sports offer, girls and boys deserve to have opportunities to compete for top spots and earn scholarships,” said State Rep. Wendy McNamara (R-Evansville). “There is a domino effect that comes from a biological male competing against biological females, and Hoosier girls could wind up on the sidelines. This is about fairness and I look forward to overriding this veto on May 24.”
