Every sport has different rules for how to play, and who gets to play. But some people want to pick and choose who counts and who does not, limiting our freedoms based on our genders.

Women's sports were never on an equal playing field. One might think that a bill called the “Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2023” would try to fix that. But instead, this bill, H.R. 734, seeks to divide us by exploiting a lack of familiarity with transgender people to stoke fear and get people to turn against trans women and girls. H.R. 734 would require schools to break rules already in place that allow trans women and girls to play on teams with their friends.

Instead of aiming for fairness or protecting anyone, H.R. 734 is trying to divide us and distract us from working together to make sports - and schools - better for everyone. Our genders are essential to who we are, and we all deserve respect. Just as you can't spell "TEAM" if you omit the “T,” you can’t protect women and girls in sports if you exclude transgender, nonbinary, and intersex youth.

Last year, Mazzoni Center joined advocates to oppose a similar bill in Pennsylvania – a bill that never made it into law. Now, the fight has moved to the federal level. We joined with @civilrightsorg & other partners to OPPOSE this bill and call for the full inclusion of all kids. #LetKidsPlay.

You can help. The House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on H.R. 734 this week. The politicians pushing H.R. 734 can be expected to cruelly misgender trans women and girls and lie about their bodies - all for a bill that fails to improve sports for anyone.

Transgender, nonbinary, and intersex youth want to participate in team sports for the same reasons as their cisgender peers: to be part of a team, learn sportsmanship, and challenge themselves. The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights has a tool that can help you reach your member of Congress.

Tell lawmakers to reject H.R. 734 and #LetKidsPlay!