Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen on Wednesday signed into law the Stand With Women Act, which forbids biological males from competing in women’s sports in K-12 schools as well as at colleges and universities.
“Because of the physical differences between males and females, having separate athletic teams based on the sex of the athlete reduces the chance of injury to female athletes, promotes equality between the sexes, provides opportunities for female athletes to compete against their female peers rather than against male athletes, and allows female athletes to compete on a fair playing field for scholarships and other athletic accomplishments,” the law states.
At a signing ceremony, Pillen praised the development, saying the act “is really a big deal, for our young people, for our kids, standing up for women, and it’s a big deal standing up for the values of Nebraska.”
Prior to its passage, the bill was hotly contested, and attempts to ban biological men from women’s bathrooms and locker rooms did not make the final cut.
“We were only able to get the athletic portion on, but I will be back next year bringing you the bathrooms and the locker rooms…the work is not done,” said state Sen. Kathleen Kauth during the signing ceremony.
KOLN reported that not everyone is pleased, such as OutNebraska Executive Director Abbi Swatsworth, who stated: “We are disappointed by the signing of LB 89, a transgender youth sports ban, into law today. Our hearts break for the young children and families who are celebrating Pride this month while also grappling with the reality of this harmful legislation.”
But conservatives praised the development.
“Letting men intrude on women and girls’ sports teams is an invasion of privacy, a threat to their safety, and a denial of the real biological differences between the sexes,” said Alliance Defending Freedom Legal Counsel Erica O’Connell in a statement, adding Kauth and the Nebraska Family Alliance played a large role in its passage.
“Nebraska is right to ensure that female athletes of all ages have a fair and level playing field and protect the safety and dignity of women and girls.”
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IMAGE CAPTION & CREDIT: A group of female athletes smile and hug each other / People Images (Shutterstock)
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