Thereâs a little thing called title IX, a federal statute. When the Biden administration was interpreting this to mean trans can be women and must be accepted in girls teams and locker rooms, libs thought this was fine. Now that the Trump administration (and courts) are giving this a different interpretation, we hear this is a local issue.
Finally, there is one more important reason for this veto. I must admit, I am not an expert on transgenderism. I struggle to understand so much of it and the science is conflicting. When in doubt however, I always try to err on the side of kindness, mercy and compassion. I also try to get proximate and I am learning so much from our transgender community. They are great kids who face enormous struggles. Here are the numbers that have most impacted my decision: 75,000, 4, 1, 86 and 56.
75,000 high school kids participating in high school sports in Utah.
4 transgender kids playing high school sports in Utah.
1 transgender student playing girls sports.
86% of trans youth reporting suicidality.
56% of trans youth having attempted suicide.
Four kids and only one of them playing girls sports. Thatâs what all of this is about. Four kids who arenât dominating or winning trophies or taking scholarships**. Four kids who are just trying to find some friends and feel like they are a part of something. Four kids trying to get through each day. Rarely has so much fear and anger been directed at so few. I donât understand what they are going through or why they feel the way they do. But I want them to live. And all the research shows that even a little acceptance and connection can reduce suicidality significantly. For that reason, as much as any other, I have taken this action in the hope that we can continue to work together and find a better way. If a veto override occurs, I hope we can work to find ways to show these four kids that we love them and they have a place in our state.**
Fear-mongering is another typical manipulation tool used by cult leaders. By introducing a sense of paranoia, fear, panic, and anxiety, cult leaders are able to manipulate members into unquestioning obedience. Cult leaders frequently fabricate doomsday scenarios or apocalyptic visions to inspire fear in their followers, convincing them that the cult is their one sanctuary from imminent disaster.
Progressives tried to sell the public a lie, that a person can change their sex at the mere drop of an opinion. It doesnât impact our sons because no trans male (woman posing as a man) is ever going to physically match up against an elite male athlete, or for that matter any top 40% male athlete. They will never make a college level male sports team, or a Professional level male sports team. And men, as the physically stronger sex, are not going to feel physically threatened by a girl posing as a boy.
But women and girls are another story. Women and girls are naturally intimidated by the physical strength advantage males naturally have over them. And they instinctively know that that male posing as a woman/girl is not, and never will be a woman/girl. And they will never be comfortable with men posing as women in their locker rooms and restroom. And they will never feel it is fair to have to physically compete against them in female only category sporting events.
Name calling, attempted shaming, attempted ridicule and denial of the issue will not put actual clothes on the naked trans emperor.