Texas Bill is Not Discrimination, It is About the Scientific, Biological Facts

When it comes to identity politics, logic is sometimes disregarded.

A prime example is Senate Bill 2095, which recently passed the Texas Senate by a 24-7 vote. (State Sen. Kel Seliger, R- Amarillo, voted for the bill.)

Here is SB 2095’s “caption text” from the Legislature: “Relating to regulation of steroid use by students participating in athletic competitions sponsored or sanctioned by the University Interscholastic League.”

Here is the first paragraph to a related article from the Texas Tribune: “The Texas Senate on Tuesday gave initial approval to a measure that could keep transgender athletes from competing in high school sports.” (Texas Senate backs bill that could disqualify transgender student athletes, May 9, amarillo.com.)

See the disconnect — if not lack of logic?

SB 2095 is not an attempt to keep transgender athletes from competing in high school sports. This is nonsense. SB 2095 creates a level playing field for all high school athletes.

The bill is related to a high school wrestler who was born female and using testosterone therapy to make the transition to male. The aforementioned wrestler won a state title earlier this year, defeating an opponent from Tascosa High School along the way.

The aforementioned wrestler had no choice but to compete against girls because of state policy, so we are not faulting the wrestler. However, those who contend this wrestler did not have an unfair advantage because of the drugs being used to make the transition to male are denying facts and science — and logic.

This is the same type of absurd argument heard when Major League Baseball players in their mid-to late 30s were bashing home runs at historic rates in the 1990s and early 2000s. Those who think performance-enhancing drugs did not play a role in this home run explosion are naive or disingenuous. (It is interesting how home run totals have dropped to more natural levels the past few years. How many people are of the opinion that baseball players of almost 20 years ago and in their mid-to late 30s at the time were naturally better than today’s stars in their mid-20s?)

The point is certain drugs can and do provide athletes with an unfair and unnatural advantage; otherwise athletes would not take such drugs.

The aforementioned high school wrestler is and/or was taking drugs to help with the transition from female to male. And while it may be politically incorrect to say, in most cases males are bigger, faster and stronger than females. This is a scientific and biological fact. This is why males and females do not compete against each other in most sports or athletic events.

SB 2095 is not about discrimination. It is about fairness.