Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has responded after coming under fire from progressives for her bill designed to protect women in sport from competing against transgender women – biological males – in school sports.
Congresswoman Gabbard introduced the “Protect Women’s Sports Act” as a bill in the House last week.
Gabbard Slammed By The Left For “Transphobia”
The bill specifies that Title IX protections are based on biological sex, not identified gender, ensuring that biological men would not be able to compete against biological women, even if they identified as women.
NEW: Hawaii Rep. @TulsiGabbard introduces bill called ‘Protect Women’s Sports Act’ — would clarify Title IX protections to be based on biological sex, which would impact transgender athletes participating in athletic programs for women and girls @KITV4 pic.twitter.com/VcDDgO1mFL
— Tom George (@TheTomGeorge) December 10, 2020
Gabbard faced withering criticism from the left for this, and was slammed as transphobic and bigoted.
“Tulsi Gabbard is now introducing a blatantly transphobic piece of legislation aimed at trans and non-binary young people,” tweeted trans activist Charlotte Clymer.
“Of course, that’s hardly surprising for a Republican,” she added.
Tulsi Gabbard is now introducing a blatantly transphobic piece of legislation aimed at trans and non-binary young people. Of course, that’s hardly surprising for a Republican. https://t.co/uqIwG9snt8
— Charlotte Clymer ?️? (@cmclymer) December 11, 2020
Support Conservative Voices!
Sign up to receive the latest political news, insight, and commentary delivered directly to your inbox.
Tulsi Gabbard has introduced legislation that would bar federal funding to schools that allow transgender girls, women & non-binary people to compete on sports teams consistent w/ their gender identity.
This is “blatantly transphobic” and unacceptable. https://t.co/p7QDuyR2n5
— Amee Vanderpool (@girlsreallyrule) December 11, 2020
RELATED: Tulsi Gabbard Demolishes Netflix Over ‘Cuties’ Scandal – ‘You Are Now Complicit’ In Child Sex Trafficking
Tulsi Slams Critics – “My Bill Is Based On Science”
In a series of tweets, Gabbard defended herself against the accusations of bigotry from the left.
She argued her act simply ensures that girls and women can compete “on a level playing field” in sports.
“Denying biological differences between men & women undermines the reason why Title IX was created in the first place,” she added.
“My ‘Protect Women’s Sports Act’ is based on science,” Gabbard said.
“Title IX was created out of a recognition of a biological distinction between men & women, & the need to make sure women & girls have equal opportunities to compete on a level playing field in sports. My bill upholds the original intent of Title IX, & strengthens it. That’s all.”
Gabbard then added to and explained her position further in an 8 minute long video posted to Twitter, where she went into far greater detail about her reasoning.
“Let’s be honest, there are some people who oppose my bill… because they don’t like Title IX in the first place, and they don’t like Title IX because it is based on that recognition of the biological distinction between men and women,” she argued.
“But it is a scientifically established fact that there is such a thing as a man and a woman. It’s also common sense. So, it is the height of hypocrisy for those who claim to be advocates for women’s rights to deny that there is even such a thing as a woman, biologically speaking, to deny the very biological distinction that makes women women, and not men.”
Title IX is a historic law that positively changed everything for women & girls. This video explains how, and why I introduced the Protect Women’s Sports Act – to clarify, uphold & strengthen the original intent of Title IX, ensuring a level playing field for girls & women. pic.twitter.com/B0647yCGmW
— Tulsi Gabbard ? (@TulsiGabbard) December 13, 2020
RELATED: Democrats Ignore Tulsi Gabbard For Convention: ‘I Was Not Invited To Participate In Any Way’
Tulsi Gabbard: Not Your Average Democrat
Gabbard has faced further criticism from the left for her unorthodox views within the Democrat Party.
While she still holds many left-wing positions, particularly on economic issues, she is very much not your standard Democrat.
Last week, she also introduced legislation that would “ensure a health care practitioner exercises the proper degree of care in the case of a child who survives an abortion or attempted abortion,” a very pro-life position for a Democrat.
Tulsi Gabbard also introduced a “Born Alive” bill protecting infants who survive an abortion. I’m waiting for Tulsi to realize she belongs in the GOP. https://t.co/E6Kj9bBdjS
— Mary Rice Hasson (@maryricehasson) December 11, 2020
She also stood against Andrew Cuomo’s religious coronavirus restrictions in New York, and appealed to President Trump to pardon Julian Assange and Edward Snowden for exposing “the deception and criminality of those in the deep state.”
.@realDonaldTrump Since you’re giving pardons to people, please consider pardoning those who, at great personal sacrifice, exposed the deception and criminality of those in the deep state. https://t.co/aeXklUsNSd
— Tulsi Gabbard ? (@TulsiGabbard) November 26, 2020
