South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem to Sign Bill Banning Trans Athletes from Competing in Women’s Sports

Republican South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem will sign a bill Thursday banning transgender athletes from participating in women’s sports.

The bill codifies Noem’s 2021 executive order asserting that transgender athletes must compete on teams that align with their biological sex, the Daily Caller reports.

Noem said that the bill is about “fairness,” specifically for female athletes who are forced to compete against biological males.

“This is about fairness. Every young woman deserves an equal playing field where she can achieve success, but common sense tells us that males have an unfair physical advantage over females in athletic competition,” Noem said. “Women have fought long and hard for equal athletic opportunities, and South Dakota will defend them.”

“Only female athletes, based on their biological sex, shall participate in any team, sport, or athletic event designated as being for females, women, or girls,” the legislation reads.

The legislation also includes provisions that allow athletes to file private lawsuits against schools or institutions that fail to comply with the new law.

The bill further requires the attorney general to “provide legal representation at no cost to that entity or individual” who files a lawsuit against institutions that don’t comply.