Kim Reynolds calls restricting transgender athletes a 'fairness issue' as critics decry hurtful message

Gov. Kim Reynolds said Wednesday that her call to bar transgender athletes from competing in girls sports is an issue of fairness, and she disputed critics' claims that the proposal sends a hurtful message.

Reynolds said last week at a Fox News town hall with other Republican governors that she hopes she will be able to sign a bill this year banning transgender women and girls from competing in women's and girls sports.

Reynolds was asked about her comments Wednesday at an Iowa news conference.

She said she's been discussing the topic with Iowa legislators this year.

"This has been an ongoing conversation I’ve had with leadership," she said. "And so when I was asked, 'If that bill was placed on your desk would you sign it?' I said yes."

More: Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds says she wants to sign a transgender athlete bill this spring

Reynolds was asked Wednesday if she could give an example of a case that prompted her discussions with legislators. She did not offer such an example, and did not say whether she has spoken to any transgender people about the proposal.

LGBTQ advocacy groups and members of the transgender community have said such proposals are hurtful and send a message that they're not accepted for who they are.

Asked about those concerns on Wednesday, Reynolds said "it doesn't say that." She described the proposal as protecting the rights of girls.

"It is a fairness issue," Reynolds said. "We either have girls sports or we don’t. They have the right to compete and they should have the right to qualify for scholarships, to be able to maybe help pay for their higher education experience, and that’s a part of the discussion."

Keenan Crow, director of policy and advocacy for One Iowa, said the proposal sends a negative message.

"When school officials recognize that a transgender girl is a girl during the school day, but then treat her as if she’s a boy when sports practice starts, it’s hurtful to the student and disrupts the school’s policy of treating all kids fairly," Crow said in an email to the Register.

Crow said most transgender youth just want to play school sports with their peers and won't go on to play at elite levels. But even at elite levels, Crow said there is no evidence of transgender people dominating competitions.

"If it's the case that transgender inclusion makes athletics unfair for cisgender women and girls, you'd think they'd have some evidence of that occurring," Crow said. "But they don't. There's no evidence whatsoever."

According to the New York Times, experts say there's little scientific research on elite transgender athletes’ performance, and transgender women have not dominated women’s athletics on a large scale.

An Associated Press analysis found earlier this year that many sponsors of similar legislation in other states have not identified instances in their own states where participation has caused problem, but many have cited a handful of instances in other states, including a pair of runners in Connecticut who combined to win 15 championship races, resulting in a lawsuit.

Iowa Safe Schools Executive Director Becky Ritland said in a statement last week that the proposal would continue a trend this year of "attacking transgender children."

"Legislative proposals like this only continue to dehumanize and bully trans youth, while also exacerbating the already high rate of suicidality, self-harm and major depressive disorders," Ritland said.

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There is no bill currently filed in the Iowa Legislature that would accomplish Reynolds' goal, although Republican legislative leaders have the power to introduce bills when they choose. Lawmakers are striving for a deal on tax cuts and the budget before they conclude the session and return home to their districts for the year.

It's unclear whether lawmakers will reach an agreement on a bill this year on restricting transgender athletes. Reynolds said Wednesday that "if a bill gets to my desk I will sign it."

About half a dozen states have either passed or are on the verge of passing laws this year banning transgender women and girls from playing on women's sports teams.

Stephen Gruber-Miller covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. He can be reached by email at sgrubermil@registermedia.com or by phone at 515-284-8169. Follow him on Twitter at @sgrubermiller.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds defends transgender athlete ban proposal