A new move in Massachusetts proves that even blue states can fall subject to anti-trans mandates.
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Deeply depressing.
Yesterday, the Massachusetts House passed a provision that uses transphobic language as part of a broader bill. Under the euphemistic title “fairness in sports,” the bill states that: “No public school shall allow a male student athlete to participate on a girls’ sports team nor shall a public school allow a female athlete to participate on a boy’s sports team.”
The Massachusetts House has taken a major step towards banning trans athletes in sports. It would be the first blue state to do so. The amendment has been inserted into the state budget bill. This is a five alarm fire for trans people in Massachusetts. www.bostonglobe.com/2025/04/09/m…
— Erin Reed (@erininthemorning.com) April 10, 2025 at 8:16 AM
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As reported by Erin Reed, this is the first decisive step by a blue state to limit trans participation in team sports. Even though Massachusetts is home to several newly designated sanctuary cities, such as the Western MA towns of Worcester and Northampton, the broader politics of the state are falling prey to the same anti-trans scare tactics that have gained momentum in red states.
State Rep. John Gaskey, who co-authored the trans-specific amendment to the bill, stated: “Every student athlete will play on the team that they were born to play on. … That’s what this amendment is for. We don’t need a study. The polls support this. The federal government supports this. It’s time that we recognize science.”
For those wondering what trans kids playing school sports have to do with broader budget concerns in the State, your guess is as good as ours.
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