Bill banning biological males from competing in women’s sports introduced in North Carolina

The bill, titled the "Save Women’s Sports Act" or House bill 358, looks to ban biological males from women’s sports to protect the opportunities for females in athletics, and states that the differences between men and women remain something to be celebrated.

"There are "[i]nherent differences" between men and women," and that these differences "remain cause for celebration, but not for denigration of the members of either sex or for artificial constraints on an individual's opportunity." The bill states.

The bill makes a case for physical differences between females and biological males in sports that aid performance, even after taking hormone blockers.

"Whereas, these "inherent differences" range from chromosomal and hormonal differences to physiological differences; and, whereas, men generally have "denser, stronger bones, tendons, and ligaments" and "larger hearts, greater lung volume per body mass, a higher red blood cell count, and higher hemoglobin." Whereas, men also have higher natural levels of testosterone, which affects traits such as hemoglobin levels, body fat content, the storage and use of carbohydrates, and the development of Type 2 muscle fibers, all of which result in men being able to generate higher speed and power during physical activity," states the official text.

Sponsored by Representatives Mark Brody, Pat McElraft, Diane Wheatley, and Jimmy Dixon, the bill argues that having sports separated by sex in fact promotes equality between the sexes.

"Whereas, having separate sex-specific teams furthers efforts to promote sex equality. Sex-specific teams accomplish this by providing opportunities for female athletes to demonstrate their skill, strength, and athletic abilities while also providing them with opportunities to obtain recognition and accolades, college scholarships, and the numerous other long-term benefits that flow from success in athletic endeavors," states the bill.

The "Save Women’s Sports Act" is just one of 28 states to have proposed similar bills in 2021, according to the ACLU. Recently, a similar bill called the "Fairness in Women’s Sports Bill" in South Dakota was sent back by Governor Kristi Noemwho had previously expressed support for the bill, citing concerns with vague language.

“Unfortunately, as I have studied this legislation and conferred with legal experts over the past several days, I have become concerned that this bill’s vague and overly broad language could have significant unintended consequences," Noem reportedly said in a letter to media and legislators.