South Dakota passes bill banning transgender athletes in women’s and girls’ sport

Gov. Kristi Noem says she will sign legislation passed by the South Dakota legislature banning transgender athletes from participating in women’s and girls’ sports, becoming the latest state approving similar bills to outlaw such competition.​

“In South Dakota, we’re celebrating #InternationalWomensDay​ ​by defending women’s sports!,” Noem tweeted Monday, moments after the bill cleared the state Senate. “I’m excited to sign this bill very soon.”

B​ackers of the bill say it promotes “fairness in women’s sports.”​

Republican Sen. Jim Bolin said he remembers track meets where the hurdles were raised after girls’ 100-meter races for boys’ heats.