State Reps. Greg Markkanen and Dave Prestin this spring voted to protect women’s sports in Michigan. House Bills 4066 and 4469 would prohibit biological males from competing in girls’ high school sports and incorporate Title IX protections for women’s sports into the Michigan Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act.

“Men cannot magically become women just like men should not magically become gold medalists because they found their so-called ‘true identity’ – just so long as that identity lands them at the peak of athletic achievement,” said Markkanen, R-Hancock. “I’m proud to support science and commonsense by voting to uphold an equal playing field for true female athletes. If a man wants to be a better athlete, he should practice harder, not start swinging at girls.”

“I watched as my daughter poured her heart into sports growing up,” said Prestin, R-Cedar River. “She practiced endlessly, committing herself to perfecting her craft and being the best athlete she could be. The idea that we should let biological males invade girls’ sports is absurd. Our grandmothers and great-grandmothers didn’t work for decades to give women an equal playing field. We cannot let biological males, whether pre- or post-pubescent, destroy everything they worked to build. We need to protect our female athletes, whether in grade school or the highest levels of competition.”

The legislation passed with bipartisan support and heads to the Senate for further consideration.

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