Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has publicly rejected the proposed ‘Save Women’s Sports’ legislation, labeling its supporters as “extremists.” This bill aims to prohibit biological males from participating in women’s sports at public schools and universities.

Shapiro’s Remarks

In a recent statement, Shapiro argued against “extremist politicians” who seek to dictate a student’s participation in athletics. He specifically mentioned figures like Donald Trump and State Senator Doug Mastriano, emphasizing the importance of freedom of participation. “What we do not need in Pennsylvania are politicians trying to legislate the restriction on freedom,” he stated.

Background on the Bill

The legislation, primarily sponsored by Mastriano, who contested and lost to Shapiro in the gubernatorial race, explicitly defines ‘sex’ as strictly male or female based on at-birth assignments. Notably, the bill only addresses male athletes’ participation in women’s sports. Presently, the majority-Democrat House of Representatives is obstructing the bill from proceeding to a vote.

Governor’s Position on Vetoing the Bill

While Shapiro refrained from committing to a veto should the bill pass through the House, he categorized the matter as “hypothetical” since it is not currently reaching a vote. Instead, he has asserted that the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) is best positioned to regulate participation on a case-by-case basis.

PIAA Policy Changes

Recently, the PIAA modified its rules concerning transgender athletes, adapting language to align with federal directives that prefer terminology reflecting assigned sex rather than gender. This shift mirrors proposals found within the ‘Save Women’s Sports’ bill.

Mixed Reactions

Interestingly, despite referring to the bill’s supporters as extremists, Shapiro previously conveyed to a group of transgender youth that he believes trans females (biological males) “shouldn’t get a special advantage on the field.” This presents a complex stance on a highly divisive issue.

Public Opinion and Future Proceedings

Current polling indicates growing public opposition to the participation of biological males in women’s sports. A New York Times/Ipsos survey showed that 79% of respondents opposed such inclusivity, reflecting a significant increase from earlier findings.

The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to review the constitutionality of state-level ‘Save Women’s Sports’ laws, including those present in Pennsylvania, in the upcoming case, West Virginia v. B.P.J.