Transphobic Pennsylvania House members host public hearing in an effort to ban trans athletes from playing sports

House members sponsoring HB 972 are the same legislators trying to ban abortion in Pennsylvania

HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania — Today, the Pennsylvania House Education Committee is hosting a public hearing on HB 972, a transphobic bill that would ban transgender student-athletes from playing in women’s sports. The legislators behind this bill are the same legislators trying to ban abortion across the state.

The ultimate goal of HB 972 is to invalidate and ignore the reality of transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) identities. Over 100 bills have been introduced across the country targeting the transgender community — making it the worst year in modern history for anti-transgender legislation.

“We know HB 972 has nothing to do with sports and everything to do with transphobic legislators trying to legislate how transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) people should be treated,” said Signe Espinoza, PPPA Interim Executive Director. “The same legislators trying to invalidate and ignore the reality of TGNC identities are the same legislators trying to ban abortion. At a time when we need our legislature to show up for resilient communities, legislators are proposing bills that strip us of our dignity and access to care.”

The bottom line is simple: transgender kids should be treated with dignity and respect. Planned Parenthood Pennsylvania Advocates (PPPA) opposes HB 972 and any harmful legislation targeting the TGNC community.

Governor Tom Wolf has vowed to veto HB 972 if it makes it to his desk.

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ABOUT PLANNED PARENTHOOD PENNSYLVANIA ADVOCATES

Planned Parenthood Pennsylvania Advocates (PPPA) exists to create a Pennsylvania where sexual and reproductive healthcare, including abortion, is accessible, affordable, and affirming for all. We achieve this, in partnership with the 3 Planned Parenthood affiliates in Pennsylvania, through electoral and advocacy campaigns, lobbying, and organizing.