No on HB36! Sports are for ALL Kids!

I am writing to express my strong opposition to House Bill 36, which seeks to restrict student participation in athletics based on biological sex as stated on a birth certificate. This bill is discriminatory, unnecessary, and harmful to students across Missouri. First and foremost, this legislation unfairly targets transgender and nonbinary students, denying them the right to fully participate in school athletics. All students, regardless of gender identity, deserve the opportunity to engage in sports, build teamwork skills, and experience the many physical and mental health benefits that come with participation. Excluding certain students based on outdated and rigid definitions of sex is not only discriminatory but also contradicts the values of fairness and inclusion that schools should uphold. Additionally, this bill presents significant legal and financial risks to Missouri schools. Schools that allow transgender students to participate in athletics could face penalties, including the loss of state funding. This puts already underfunded schools in an impossible position—forcing them to choose between supporting their students and maintaining financial stability. Furthermore, similar laws in other states have faced legal challenges, costing taxpayers millions in legal fees. Missouri should not waste resources defending an indefensible and harmful policy. The claim that this bill is necessary to protect opportunities for female athletes is misleading. There is no widespread issue of transgender athletes dominating sports or displacing cisgender female athletes in Missouri. Instead, real barriers to female athletic participation—such as lack of funding, unequal facilities, and lower media coverage—should be the focus of legislative efforts, rather than singling out and excluding a vulnerable group of students. This bill does nothing to address the actual challenges in youth sports and instead sends a harmful message that some students are less worthy of participation than others. I urge you to oppose House Bill 36 and work toward policies that promote inclusivity, fairness, and equal opportunity for all students.