Please, vote NO on HB1572 when it comes before the House Education Committee on June 3. Every student deserves the opportunity to play school sports and receive the physical and mental health benefits that come with it.

The law should not be used to stigmatize transgender students. It is odd that the Legislature would focus on an issue like this during a health crisis. In addition, to pass such a high-profile discriminatory bill will paint a target on Tennessee that could compromise our economic recovery.

This bill purports to be about defending the opportunities of young women and girls. In fact, it would have the opposite effect, as the example of Mack Beggs in Texas shows. He is a transgender man who was forced to compete in women's wrestling in high school. He won two titles in 2017 and 2018, thus depriving the young women competitors of winning in their divisions.

The fiscal note on this bill indicates that over $600 Million are at risk if it passes. Please, take this into account.

This bill includes penalties against school personnel and parents. The committee needs to examine those further, as the K-12 subcommittee did not have a full discussion of that issue.  The subcommittee also did not fully consider the workability of the bill for schools. What will schools have to put in place for record-keeping and privacy when dealing with the issue of birth certificates and other documents used to establish gender?

Thank you for considering my views.