The Michigan House of Representatives passed two bills on May 22 that would prevent transgender girls from participating in school sports aligned with their gender identity, moves widely criticized by LGBTQ+ advocates as discriminatory and unnecessary.
The first bill, HB 4066, seeks to amend the state’s Revised School Code by requiring all school sports teams to be classified strictly by sex assigned at birth. The second, HB 4469, would amend the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to clarify that schools may lawfully restrict athletic participation based on the biological sex recorded on an individual’s original birth certificate.
Both bills passed largely along party lines, with strong Republican support and Democratic opposition. The legislation aligns with President Trump’s executive order titled “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports,” which threatens schools with the loss of federal funding if they allow transgender girls to compete on female sports teams.
What’s in the Bills?
HB 4066 goes beyond requiring sports to be designated by sex; it also gives individuals and institutions the right to sue if they are “deprived of an athletic opportunity” because a trans girl was allowed to compete. Even accrediting bodies or athletic associations cannot investigate or penalize schools for enforcing this separation.
The bill defines “sex” as “the biological indication of male or female, as listed on an individual’s original birth certificate issued at or near the time of birth.”
Meanwhile, HB 4469 modifies civil rights language to shield schools from legal liability under state law if they exclude transgender students from participating in sports that align with their gender identity.
Supporters claim the legislation protects the “integrity of women’s sports,” citing physical differences between sexes. Republican Rep. Rylee Linting argued, “There are biological differences between men and women, and those differences matter.” But opponents say the bills are rooted more in politics than public interest.
Opposition and Civil Rights Backlash
Civil liberties organizations, Democratic lawmakers, and LGBTQ+ advocates have strongly condemned the bills. The ACLU of Michigan stated, “Banning trans kids from playing sports not only violates their civil rights to be treated equally, it is just plain wrong.”
Critics point out that trans girls’ participation in sports is incredibly rare. The Michigan High School Athletic Association reported only two transgender girls received waivers this year to compete among a total of 170,000 athletes statewide.
“The idea that girls’ sports are being overrun is not just misleading; it’s a manufactured crisis,” said Rep. Carrie A. Rheingans, who called the bills “a direct attack on trans youth.”
What Happens Next?
The bills now head to the Michigan Senate, which has a Democratic majority. Political analysts suggest the legislation is unlikely to pass in its current form. Even if it did, Governor Gretchen Whitmer has the power to veto both bills, and given her history of LGBTQ+ support, such a veto is almost certain.
We also anticipate legal challenges. Both bills appear designed to test the boundaries of Title IX interpretations and could become the subject of federal court review.
Meanwhile, transgender students and their families find themselves in a state of uncertainty. Advocates urge communities to speak out, contact legislators, and support youth caught in political crossfire.
“This is not about fairness in sports,” said one Detroit-area parent. “This is about excluding kids who already face enough barriers just trying to be themselves.”
The Bottom Line
These bills are part of a broader trend seen across the United States, where conservative lawmakers are pushing similar restrictions under the guise of protecting fairness. But for transgender youth, it’s more than policy; it’s personal.
As one high school senior put it, “All I want is to play the sport I love with my friends. I don’t want to be a political talking point. I just want to be included.”
Whether these bills become law or receive a governor’s veto, they serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle for equality that many young trans people continue to face in schools across America.
