(The Center Square) – House Republicans issued a petition to discharge Senate Bill 9, known as the Save Women’s Sports Act, to the chamber floor.
The measure is currently sitting in the House Education Committee and is unlikely to move forward in the Democrat-controlled chamber.
“Senate Bill 9 needs both debate and a vote,” said Rep. Barbara Gleim, R-Carlisle, informing the House of the petition.
“It’s imperative we protect equal opportunities for female athletes,” said Rep. Wendy Fink, R-Red Lion, who signed the petition. “Allowing a biological male to compete on a women’s team puts all women on the playing field at a disadvantage.”
The bill would require schools to adopt definitions of “sex” based on biological distinctions, thus excluding trans and non-binary athletes who were assigned male at birth from women’s sports teams.
Advocates say that measures like this support Title IX, which prohibits sex-based discrimination in schools and other institutions that receive federal funding.
“The Commonwealth must prioritize the safety, privacy, and opportunities of biological women and girls over political pandering,” wrote the America First Policy Institute.
Opponents of the bill say that SB 9 and measures like it have nothing to do with protecting women. Rather, they are aimed at discriminating against trans people.
“We don’t need to do this,” said Sen. Katie Muth, D-Royersford, who called it “state sanctioned bullying.”
Muth cited a peer-reviewed study published in Nature which showed a significant increase of suicide attempts in trans youth after states had enacted similar legislation.
Last week, the University of Pennsylvania was the latest high-profile incident in which a school was held to account for actions deemed in violation of Title IX by the Trump administration.
Opponents emphasize that some of the loudest advocates for anti-trans legislation have not limited their commentary to physiological differences or athletic competitiveness. Instead, the debate often centers around the validity of trans identities.
Republicans noted bipartisan support of the measure, which received five yes votes from Democratic senators. The remaining 18 voted against the measure. Republicans voted in unanimous support.
