1. United States
2. Ariz.
3. Letter

I urge you to oppose HCR2003, scheduled for consideration in the House Education Committee on Tuesday. This resolution would ask Arizona voters to ban transgender girls from youth sports and prohibit transgender students from using bathrooms and changing facilities that align with their gender identities. This measure is a near replica of Arizona's 2022 law that federal courts have already blocked. A federal district judge placed that law on hold pending the outcome of a similar case currently before the US Supreme Court. Attempting to resurrect legislation that has already been found problematic by the courts wastes taxpayer resources and legislative time while targeting some of our most vulnerable young people. Representative Selina Bliss claims her bill is "black and white," but it fails to address children born intersex, those with anatomy variations that could indicate both genders. More children are intersex than transgender, meaning this resolution could harm an even larger group of students than its sponsors acknowledge. The measure's binary approach ignores medical reality and creates confusion for schools trying to comply. One Phoenix advocate captured the core issue: "there is absolutely no reason to try to do this again, other than to harm already vulnerable kids." These students already face significant challenges. They deserve supportive school environments where they can learn and participate in activities alongside their peers, not legislation designed to ostracize them. Arizona schools should focus on creating inclusive environments that allow all students to thrive, not singling out tiny minorities of children for exclusion. The courts have already indicated serious concerns with this approach. I ask that you vote no on HCR2003 in committee and work instead on policies that support all Arizona students without discrimination.