Hundreds of Montana students to protest transgender sports ban bill at state capitol
Hundreds of Montana students are meeting in the state’s capital city Helena Monday morning to protest against legislation that would ban transgender students to participate in sports according to their gender identity.
According to NBC Montana, students from across the state are expected to meet at the state capitol at 11 a.m., local time, for the demonstration.
The rally is being organized by the Associated Students of Montana State University in partnership with Montana Associated Students.
On Thursday, students held a press conference to address House Bill 112, which has been introduced in the state Legislature by Rep. John Fuller, a Republican.
“We’ve been disgusted by the mischaracterization of transgender community members who deserve to be uplifted and affirmed for the undeniable ways they make the University of Montana better,” the university’s student political action director Maggie Bornstein told reporters, according to the Missoulian.
The group also responded to the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s statement opposing the transgender athlete bans, released earlier in the week.
“The NCAA Board of Governors firmly and unequivocally supports the opportunity for transgender student-athletes to compete in college sports,” the statement, which was released Monday, read. “This commitment is grounded in our values of inclusion and fair competition.”
“When determining where championships are held, NCAA policy directs that only locations where hosts can commit to providing an environment that is safe, healthy and free of discrimination should be selected,” the statement added.
Bornstein discussed the possible ramifications that a transgender ban — and a subsequent NCAA withdrawal — would have on the state.
“The loss of a handful of football games will have a ripple effect on the entire athletic community, including what House Bill 112 claims to save — women’s sports,” she added.
According to the Human Rights Campaign there are more than 240 anti-LGBTQ bills under consideration in state legislatures across the country. Of those, more than 60 would ban transgender girls and women from participating in sports consistent with their gender identity.
Such bans have been already signed into law by the governors of three states: Mississippi, Arkansas and Tennessee.
On Thursday, the Montana Senate Judiciary Committee voted to advance two bills targeting transgender youth despite overwhelming testimony opposing the measures, The Associated Press reported.
