1. United States
2. Pa.
3. Letter

SB 9 is an unnecessary and harmful piece of legislation that targets vulnerable transgender youth under the guise of protecting women's sports. This ban would have detrimental effects on the mental and physical health of young trans Pennsylvanians by excluding them from the invaluable benefits of participating in school sports and activities. Rather than addressing real issues facing female athletes like unequal resources, SB 9 cruelly discriminates against a marginalized group of students who simply want to play sports with their peers. Courts have repeatedly struck down similar policies for violating federal civil rights laws and constitutional equal protection guarantees. Furthermore, policies like SB 9 open the door to subjecting cisgender girls and young women to invasive "gender testing" if they do not conform to stereotypical expectations of femininity. I urge you to vote against SB 9 and reject this discriminatory attack on transgender student-athletes as well as the harmful policing of gender for all youth. Vulnerable youth deserve to learn, grow, and thrive in an inclusive environment, not face unjustified exclusion, marginalization, and scrutiny over their gender expression. Please stand up for the rights and wellbeing of all Pennsylvania's students by opposing this misguided legislation.