HB 1475 allows transgender women and girls to be banned from playing in scholastic leagues in Florida. As a part of enforcing this, genital inspections will be permitted for athletes suspected of being transgender. These initiatives would not apply to transgender men in male scholastic leagues.

This is cited as a way to protect the rights of cisgender women. It does the opposite. Not only is data unclear on the performance of transgender women in sports compared to their cisgender competitors, transgender athletes deserve an equal opportunity for involvement and success in their chosen activities.

Further, cisgender and transgender women both face heightened risks of sexual violence, and this bill, by allowing genital inspections for suspected transgender athletes, not only violates the privacy of athletes (particularly that of transgender individuals who may wish to keep this information confidential), it creates an environment where sexual violence can flourish among women and girls. 

This bill harms all women - cisgender and transgender alike - and should be struck down in the Florida legislature.