The NCAA is threatening to pull key competitions and championships out of Florida since Governor Ron DeSantis signed the “Fairness in Women’s Sports Act” yesterday. The new law prohibits transgender women from competing in high school and collegiate women’s athletics.
“In Florida, girls are going to play girls sports and boys are going to play boys sports,” DeSantis said, speaking at a private school in Jacksonville.
In Florida, we’re going to do what’s right and we won’t be cowed by pressure from woke corporations. They will not dictate the policies in Florida – not now, not ever. Florida will stand strong and protect women's sports and opportunities.
Watch more: https://t.co/tX9Iqit5uw pic.twitter.com/B4tohDyHZd
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) June 1, 2021
DeSantis reiterated if the NCAA is going to withdraw from Florida, he said it is a risk he is willing to take.
“We won’t be cowed, we will stand strong,” DeSantis said. “I will choose to protect our young girls every day of the week and twice on Sunday.”
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, who yesterday launched her campaign against DeSantis for governor, criticized the bill as well as the alleged symbolism of codifying the law on the first day of LGBTQ+ Pride Month.
By signing a heartless ban on transgender kids in sports, @GovRonDeSantis is marginalizing an entire community.
Signing it on the first day of #Pride2021 is especially cruel.
Florida should stand for inclusivity, equality, and liberty — not peddling hate for political points.
— Commissioner Nikki Fried (@NikkiFriedFL) June 1, 2021
“By signing a heartless ban on transgender kids in sports, @GovRonDeSantis is marginalizing an entire community,” Fried tweeted. “Signing it on the first day of #Pride2021 is especially cruel. Florida should stand for inclusivity, equality, and liberty — not peddling hate for political points.”
The bill will require student athletes from middle school through college to compete in the sport based on their biological sex designated on their birth certificate. At least 20 other states are attempting to, or have already, passed similar legislation.
Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson signed a similar bill in March requiring biological males and females in their designated sports ranging from K-12 schools through college. Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves also signed legislation banning transgender women from girls’ sports.
The NCAA has not reacted to either Arkansas’ or Mississippi’s legislation.
The Human Rights Campaign has pledged to file suit against Florida’s efforts calling it “discriminatory.”
“It’s not a message to anything other than saying we’re going to protect fairness in women’s sports,” DeSantis said.
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Grant Holcomb is a reporter at the Florida Capital Star and the Star News Network. Follow Grant on Twitter and direct message tips.
Photo “NCAA College Basketball” by NCAA.
