Alaska House passes controversial transgender athletes bill

Over the weekend, following hours of debate, HB 183, which focuses on the participation of transgender youth in sports, was passed by the Alaska State House.

The bill, sponsored by Representatives Jaime Allard, Sarah Vance, and Tom McKay, restricts what sports transgender youth can participate in. Supporters say this would ensure fairness in sports opportunities for women and promote equality, while those in opposition say this bill only perpetuates hate and discrimination by attacking transgender girls who want to play sports and that transgender individuals do not threaten women in sports.

Over the weekend, a motion to table the bill indefinitely was made, though ultimately by a vote of 21-9. Meanwhile, legislators opposed to the bill attempted to kill the bill with dozens of amendments, though the House majority was ready to table those amendments without discussion. Opposition lawmakers grew angry and refused to vote, bringing proceedings to a halt, with loud voices and shouting, with Representative Kevin McCabe saying, “You’re making a mockery of this.”

Only after Speaker of the House Cathy Tilton and Representative Calvin Schrage came to a compromise were any amendments allowed to be made.

Ultimately, the final tally was 22-18, with all of the Republicans in the House majority voting in favor of the bill, along with Representatives David Eastman of Wasilla, and Dan Ortiz, representing Ketchikan. Representative Louise Stutes of Kodiak was the only Republican to vote against it. House’s Democrats voted against the bill, as did all of its independents, with the exception of Representative Ortiz.

Planned Parenthood issued a statement on Monday saying they were deeply disappointed in Speaker Tilton, Representative Jamie Allard, and all who voted in support of the bill, saying that the bill will only serve to exacerbate bullying and attacks against transgender youth in Alaska.

“If gender parity is their concern, then we urge them to focus on real issues like unequal funding, resources, and pay, and not on legislation that promotes baseless fears surrounding trans athletes that do nothing to address gender parity problems.”

After the bill’s passage, a request was made to call for a re-vote, and set to possibly take place on May 14, though it is likely to pass again. It still must go before the Alaska Senate, where the bill's future remains uncertain.