Community Shares of Greater Cincinnati Board of Directors Stands Against Ohio HB61

FEBRUARY 10, 2021 – The Board of Directors of Community Shares of Greater Cincinnati is adamantly against the misinformed and misguided legislation HB61. This attack on trans children is not acceptable. We are hoping that medical, legal, and academic experts and advocates will join us in protecting trans children.

Ohio House Bill 61, the “Save Women’s Sports Act” has been introduced by Rep. Jena Powell (R-Arcanum) and Rep. Reggie Stoltzfus (R-Paris Twp.). Co-sponsored by 14 other Republican representatives, it says in part:

“(B) No school, interscholastic conference, or organization that regulates interscholastic athletics shall permit individuals of the male sex to participate on athletic teams or in athletic competitions designated only for participants of the female sex.

(C) If a participant’s sex is disputed, the participant shall establish the participant’s sex by presenting a signed physician’s statement indicating the participant’s sex based upon only the following:

(1) The participant’s internal and external reproductive anatomy;

(2) The participant’s normal endogenously produced levels of testosterone;

(3) An analysis of the participant’s genetic makeup.”

The criteria go against medical and scientific measures as well as the federal protections of Title IX. The longer history of transgender students and Title protection dates back to a 2008 case of Student v. Acardia Unified School District. The recent rollbacks of the last administration had never truly been implemented at a federal level, as lower court cases were won on behalf of transgender students’ rights to participate in interscholastic athletics and utilize institutional facilities that correspond with their gender identity.

The state of Ohio interscholastic athletic rules currently have criteria that requires medical interventions and proof of eligibility from a gender-affirming medical professional. This new legislation is misguided and horrific attack on some of our most marginalized children.

This statement represents the opinion of the Board of Directors of Community Shares of Greater Cincinnati and is not necessarily representative of the opinions of our individual member organizations.

What can our stakeholders do? Community Shares of Greater Cincinnati member organization Equality Ohio recommends the following actions that we endorse:

* Call House Education Committee Chair Gayle Manning at (614) 644-5076, and tell her to stop HB61.

* Email the members of the House Education Committee, and tell them to oppose HB61. Equality Ohio has a form to accomplish that at https://equalityohio.org/our-work/legislation/email-hb61/

* If you are a transgender athlete or ally, you can share your story with Equality Ohio at https://equalityohio.org/stories/trans-athlete-story/

* Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper explaining just how harmful this bill is and why your elected officials should oppose it.