Sen. Campbell labels bill targeting trans students ‘hate legislation’

Gov. Lee’s comment in support of the measure was ‘hurtful,’ senator says

NASHVILLE — Sen. Heidi Campbell (D-Nashville) called a bill targeting trans students who want to participate in sports “hate legislation.”

As most of the nation is focused on getting the coronavirus pandemic under control, members of Tennessee’s controlling party are advancing legislation aimed at the rights of trans students who want to play sports.

And today, Gov. Bill Lee announced his support of the measure saying, “transgenders participating in women’s sports will destroy women’s sports.”

Sen. Campbell dismissed the governor’s transphobic hyperbole immediately.

“What a hurtful thing for a leader to say. There have been zero incidents of this being an issue,” Sen. Campbell said. “This is just hate legislation, and to double down with an insult to our LGBTQ community is unnecessary.”

Under SB 228, student athletes would be required to prove that the student’s sex matches the student’s “original” birth certificate in order to participate in public high school sports.

Legislation targeting the rights of theLGBTQ community may not solve any real problems, but it has caused real harm: to state economies as business goes elsewhere, with resources wasted on court battles and to the mental health of trans people affected by this ugliness.