‘Fraud’ Tulsi Gabbard condemned for ‘blatantly transphobic’ bill to deny funding to trans-inclusive schools
US representative Tulsi Gabbard. (Getty/ Bill Pugliano)
Hawaii Democrat Tulsi Gabbard has introduced a “blatantly transphobic” bill to deny trans-inclusive schools funding, despite claiming to support the LGBT+ community.
On Thursday (10 December), representative Gabbard introduced a bill to the house, co-sponsored by Republican representative Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma, called the “Protect Women’s Sport Act”.
The bill aims to clarify Title IX rights (outlawing sex-based discrimination in federally-funded education) as “based on biological sex”, and prevent schools from receiving federal funding if they allow trans girls and women, as well as non-binary people, to compete on women’s sports teams.
Title IX was previously broadened to include gender identity by the Obama administration, however this was swiftly scrapped by Donald Trump.
NEW: Hawaii Rep. @TulsiGabbard introduces bill called ‘Protect Women’s Sports Act’ — would clarify Title IX protections to be based on biological sex, which would impact transgender athletes participating in athletic programs for women and girls @KITV4 pic.twitter.com/VcDDgO1mFL
— Tom George (@TheTomGeorge) December 10, 2020
In a statement, Gabbard said: “Title IX… led to a generational shift that impacted countless women, creating life-changing opportunities for girls and women that never existed before.
“However, Title IX is being weakened by some states who are misinterpreting Title IX, creating uncertainty, undue hardship and lost opportunities for female athletes.
“Our legislation protects Title IX’s original intent which was based on the general biological distinction between men and women athletes based on sex.”
Gabbard is the US representative for Hawaii’s second congressional district, who also ran for the Democratic presidential nomination last year.
During her campaign she came under fire for her history of opposed marriage equality and having called LGBT+ activists “homosexual extremists”.
However in a grovelling apology she insisted that her views had changed and that she was now an LGBT+ ally.
She was swiftly criticised for the new legislation, especially as just last year she insisted that would “work toward passing legislation that ensures equal rights and protections on LGBT+ issues”.
Activist Charlotte Clymer wrote on Twitter: “Tulsi Gabbard is now introducing a blatantly transphobic piece of legislation aimed at trans and non-binary young people.”
Yikes. This is disgusting TERF nonsense. https://t.co/QbArmKgxnU— Lee J. Carter (@carterforva) December 11, 2020
One Twitter user described the bill as “disgusting TERF nonsense”, while former GLAAD chief programs officer Zeke Stokes added: “Remember when Tulsi Gabbard tried to convince us she was an LGBT+ ally?
“We knew she was a liar, a fraud. Here’s the proof.”
