INDIANA – HB 1041, a bill that would ban trans girls from youth sports, passed the Senate today and is headed to Governor Holcomb’s desk. The vote was 32-18, with bi-partisan opposition.
Katie Blair, Advocacy and Public Policy Director with the ACLU of Indiana issued this statement:
“The Indiana legislature has voted to discriminate against trans youth, passing HB 1041, despite hearing hours of testimony from Hoosiers opposing this legislation and receiving tens of thousands of calls and emails. This bill singles out trans girls by banning them from participating in girls’ sports, jeopardizing their mental health, physical well-being, and ability to access educational opportunities comparable to their peers.
“In Indiana, three in four trans youth will be harassed and bullied in school for being trans. By passing this bill, Indiana legislators have exposed trans kids to additional exclusion and mistreatment.
“Trans kids have a right to live full lives, just like everyone else. This legislation is hateful, harmful, and appears to violate federal law and the Constitution. Courts have blocked similar laws from going into effect in several other states. This isn’t over.
“We won’t stop fighting for an Indiana where trans youth are loved and treated equally.”
