By Guy Page
A bill prohibiting biologically-male transgender students from playing school sports designated for girls or women has been introduced into the Vermont Legislature – and immediately labeled as “hate” by transgender activists.
H513, “An act relating to protecting the competitive integrity and safety of girls and women in sports,” is sponsored by Rep. Art Peterson (R-Clarendon). Reps. Larry Labor, Terri Williams, and Charles Wilson, all Northeast Kingdom Republicans, co-sponsored the bill. The ‘short-form’ bill is brief and straightforward, saying it would “prohibit individuals that were assigned the sex of male at birth from participating in an elementary, secondary, or postsecondary school athletic program or activity that is designated for girls or women.”
Introduced April 7, H513 was referred to the House Education Committee. It is not likely to be voted out with an affirmative vote of the Democrat-dominated committee.
Last month, the Vermont Principals Association banned Mid-Vermont Christian School banned from future tournament play for forfeiting a game against the Long Trail School, which had a 6’ 2” biologically male player.
“We intend to appeal the decision,” Head of School Vicky Fogg said a day after the ban was announced. “Cancelling our membership is not a solution and does nothing to deal with the very real issue of safety and fairness facing women’s sports in our beloved state.”
The Alliance Defending Freedom is representing a similar law passed by West Virginia. It said in a recent statement:
“Biological differences between males and females matter in sports. Female athletes have fought long and hard for equal opportunities, and they deserve to compete on a fair and level playing field. West Virginia and 17 other states have enacted laws that protect women and girls from having to compete against males. That exemplifies the type of respect and dignity that every woman deserves.”
The proposed Vermont bill has been scorned by leading transgender activists and social media influencers.
Rep. Taylor Small (D/P – Winooski), Vermont’s first openly transgender lawmaker, Tweeted April 7: “Rep. Art Peterson (R) and others have officially submitted the first and only piece of anti-trans legislation in Vermont. Our state is not exempt from the hateful legislation sweeping our nation.” The tweet showed a screenshot of H.513.
Resharing Small’s tweet, Addison County High Bailiff, police oversight activist, and marijuana legalization advocate David Silberman wrote: “Short form anti-trans bills, for you are proudly hateful, but also too lazy to flesh out the details.”
Rebutting arguments of transgender advocates like Small and Silberman, the Heritage Institute argues that opponents of transgender rights over girls and women’s rights instead affirm social and government policy based on physical, biological reality rather than feelings:
“At the core of the ideology is the radical claim that feelings determine reality. From this idea come extreme demands for society to play along with subjective reality claims. Trans ideologues ignore contrary evidence and competing interests, they disparage alternative practices, and they aim to muffle skeptical voices and shut down any disagreement.”