Trans People Belong Everywhere in North Dakota – Including Sports.

Anyone who's ever stepped onto a hockey rink or a basketball court can tell you about the thrill of victory or the agony of defeat.

For most athletes, however, it's not just about winning or losing. It's about playing the game.

But that could change in North Dakota if House Bill 1298 passes.

On Tuesday, the Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing on House Bill 1298, legislation that would codify discrimination against transgender youth in North Dakota and ban transgender athletes under the age of 18 from competing on sports teams that match their gender identity.

Instead of leveling the playing field, this legislation would place hurdles in front of students just because they're transgender.

This kind of discrimination needs to stop. And we need your help.

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HERE'S WHAT YOU CAN DO: 

Submit public comment to the Senate Judiciary Committee

  • Complete the registration info and submit your testimony as either a PDF or text file on the Legislative Branch website

  • Deadline: 1:30 p.m. March 16

Send an email to the legislators on the Senate Judiciary Committee.

1. Additional talking points and messaging ideas

A.Additional talking points and messaging ideas

A.
  • House Bill 1298 would exclude transgender students from enjoying the same opportunities and programs as their peers.
  • Having the opportunity to participate in sports results in positive outcomes for students—better grades, greater homework completion, higher educational and occupational aspirations, and improved self-esteem.  
  • This bill won’t make sports safer or fairer for any student — all it would do is stigmatize and exclude a group of students who already face high levels of discrimination.
  • Despite the fact that trans people of all ages have been participating in sports consistent with their gender at all levels for years, we simply have not seen any dominance by trans athletes at any level of competition.
  • The bill would reach athletes from other states and schools by barring any competition in a North Dakota state facility. This undermines NCAA policy and could cause North Dakota schools to have to forfeit competition.
  • If passed, this bill will end up in expensive litigation that could cost North Dakota taxpayers millions of dollars.
  • House Bill 1298 violates both the United States Constitution and Title IX of the Civil Rights Act, which protects all students – including those who are transgender – from discrimination based on sex.