ATLANTA – State Representative Philip Singleton (R-Sharpsburg) recently introduced House Bill 276 to preserve female-only student sport teams in Georgia.
“I, along with 38 other House members who co-signed this legislation, believe every single athlete should have the opportunity to compete, and there is no place for identity politics or discrimination of any type in sports,” said Rep. Singleton. “In 1972, Title IX was established to stop discrimination and create equal athletic opportunities for girls. Before Title IX, one in 27 girls played sports. Today that number is two in five. In athletic competition, our daughters learn the power of preparation, the pain of defeat and the empowerment of success. If we ignore biological reality, female-only sports will suffer, and our daughters will lose opportunity. As state legislators, we have made it our business to protect the lives and livelihoods of our citizens, and House Bill 276 would allow Georgia to take a step towards protecting our daughters, their dreams and their futures.”
House Bill 276 would prohibit public and private schools’ athletic programs, as well as athletic programs in the University System of Georgia, that compete against other student athletic teams from allowing biological males to participate in an athletic program that is designated for biological females. If the proposed legislation is passed and signed into law, students who have been deprived of an athletic opportunity or suffered harm from a school violating HB 276 would be able to sue their school or school system for injunctive relief, damages or other relief within two years after the violation occurred.
Rep. Singleton unveiled his legislation at a press conference on Thursday, Feb. 4, which can be viewed here.
For more information on HB 276, please click here.
Representative Philip Singleton represents the citizens of District 71, which includes portions of Fayette and Coweta counties. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2019 and currently serves as Secretary of the State Planning & Community Affairs Committee. He also serves on the Budget and Fiscal Affairs Oversight, Defense & Veterans Affairs, Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications and Transportation committees.
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