Corbin co-sponsor of ‘Fairness Act’
By Jessica Webb
editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com
Raleigh – Titled the “Fairness in Women’s Sports Act,” N.C. Senate Bill 631 would require student athletes to participate in the sport of their biological sex or on co-ed teams, with the State Board of Education monitoring both middle and high school sports for compliance of the law. A similar bill already passed the House.
State Sen. Kevin Corbin (R-Franklin) is a primary sponsor of the Senate bill, which would apply to public, private and charter schools that are part of the N.C. High School Athletic Association. Multiple states have passes similar bills across the country, and North Carolina attempted to pass similar legislation two years ago.
“It would be unfair to our students if we ignored some of the biological realities that have measurable impacts on the outcomes of sports. This bill sets out to fix those loopholes,” Corbin said in a press conference Thursday.
Corbin and his co-sponsors – state Sens. Vickie Sawyer (R-Iredell) and Joyce Krawiec (R-Forsyth) – framed the bill as a “common-sense” effort to keep things fair for “cisgendered” female athletes. Sawyer went so far as to say that women’s sports were “under attack.”
Sylvia Hatchell, a former University of North Carolina women’s basketball coach, said transgender athletes could keep other girls from earning scholarships.
“I support trans athletes and their right to gender identify as they see fit. However, competitive sport is one of the few places in our society where sex differences matter,” she said.
N.C. Health News reported in September 2021 that fewer than 10 transgender athletes had joined state high school teams in the past two years.
Under present policy, students who identify as a different gender than their sex at birth must file a Gender Identity Request form through the NCHSAA to play on the sport that matches their gender identity. That form requires documentation from the student, family members and health-care professionals to demonstrate consistency with their gender identity.
In September, following an incident in which a Hiwassee Dam volleyball player was injured by a Highlands player who had
questions about whether she was born biologically female, the Cherokee County Board of Education voted to suspend all upcoming matches against Highlands due to an undisclosed “safety issue.”
In a followup interview Friday, Corbin called SB 631 simple legislation. He did not reference the local incident.
“We’re not specifically targeting transgender, it’s just that male athletes do not need to be playing female sports, that’s what the bill is all about,” he said.
Corbin said his co-sponsors asked for him to help with the bill and he agreed, thinking of his own female grandchildren.
One question that arises is how schools would implement the new requirements. Corbin suggested going by gender listed on a student-athlete’s birth certificate.
Regarding language in the bill that could prevent girls from playing boys contact sports – like football and wrestling, which they have access to under Title IX if those aren’t offered as female sports – Corbin said legislators would amend that language.
Transgender and other LGBTQ+ young people, particularly black and indigenous kids, are already at elevated risks of suicide and poor mental health. When asked if he had any concerns that the law could increase those risks for those youth, Corbin went back to the potential impact of girls playing against trans athletes.
“What about kids being impacted by a transgender person playing on their team?” he said.
In essence, Corbin said the law is no different from other requirements and how they pertain to competition, saying high school students can’t just decide they want to play on middle school or elementary teams.
There are several other bills that have been introduced in North Carolina that could impact trans youth, including those that would block access to health care for things like gender affirming care and puberty blockers. Corbin said he doesn’t have anything to do with those bills, stressing this legislation is “to protect female sports.”
In response, Equality NC said the organization was outraged and concerned about the potential mental health impact for youth.
“We are outraged to see lawmakers target our most vulnerable youth. Banning kids from playing sports because of who they are prevents them from having positive and formative experiences at school, and preventing parents from making decisions on their child’s health care is harmful and life-threatening,” ENC Executive Director Kendra Johnson said.
“These bills do nothing to address the real issues facing our youth, like gun violence in schools or the mental health crisis. Instead of working to make schools safe environments, our lawmakers are bullying queer and trans kids.”
With the supermajority gained by state Rep. Tricia Cotham (R-Mecklenburg) switching parties, the legislation has a better chance of becoming law and overriding a potential gubernatorial veto. It may also be impacted by the Biden Administration’s announcement Thursday that the president has proposed to include language to Title IX that would forbid bans on transgender athletes.
Cherokee Scout Sports Writer Justin Fitzgerald contributed to this report.