Legislation targeting trans athletes defeated

Rep. Marshall applauds result

BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

A number of trans and non-binary athletes rallied to defeat legislation that would have required athletes to participate in sports based on sex assigned at birth.

On Feb. 13, the State, Civic, Veterans and Military A airs Committee killed HB23-1098, or the Women’s Rights in Athletics bill, in an 8-3 vote. e bill would have required Colorado sports organizations to o er male, female and coeducational teams, restricting athletes to the team that matches their sex assigned at birth.

Speaking against the bill, Brayden Parsons, a Douglas County student, said he felt it would hurt athletes of all identities by introducing unnecessary obstacles.

“I’ve learned that a team is a place for everyone to come together, a place for people to push each other and a place where everybody makes themselves both a better athlete and a better person,” Parsons said. “I can tell you from experience that a team is not a place for barriers and it is not a place for hate. A team is not a place for discrimination, homophobia or transphobia.”

Sponsored by Douglas County Representatives Brandi Bradley and Lisa Frizell, the Women’s Rights in Athletics bill claimed to protect female students’ rights in athletics.

Frizell and Bradley said the intent is to support Title IX and insisted the bill wasn’t discriminatory.

“ is is a bill about fairness and women being able to compete in sports on a level playing eld safely and successfully,” Frizell said. “I worry that