Pennside, PA - September 22: A detail photo of a player's feet dribbling a soccer ball. Boys Soccer, the Schuylkill Valley Panthers vs the Antietam Mounts at the Antietam A-Field in Pennside Tuesday afternoon September 22, 2020. (Photo by Ben Hasty/M HARRISBURG - The Pennsylvania Senate passed Republican-sponsored legislation Tuesday to prohibit transgender women from participating in women’s sports.The proposal, which passed 30-20, now heads to the House, where an identical bill was previously approved.
One Democrat, Sen. Lisa Boscola of Northampton County, crossed party lines to vote in favor of the Senate version.Sponsored by Sen.
Judy Ward, R-Blair, the bill requires public K-12 schools and colleges to designate sports as male, female or coed.During floor debate, supporters argued the bill would level the playing field for cisgender women.
Opponents said the bill would harm vulnerable young people."Where are the feminists?" said Sen. Doug Mastriano, R-Franklin, the current Republican gubernatorial nominee, who backs the measure. "I stand on the side of the lady athletes.