Updated: Arkansas Senate Passes Bill to Protect Fairness in Women’s Sports

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Sen. Missy Irvin presents S.B. 354 from the floor of the Arkansas Senate.

On Wednesday the Arkansas Senate passed S.B. 354 by a vote of 28 to 7.

This good bill by Sen. Missy Irvin (R – Mountain View) and Rep. Sonia Barker (R – Smackover) would protect fairness in girls’ athletics at school.

S.B. 354 prevents biologically male student athletes from competing in women’s sports in Arkansas.

Time and again we have heard stories of biological males dominating women’s athletics — especially in events like track and field.

Letting biological males who identify as female compete against girls can rob female student athletes of opportunities for scholarships.

In some sporting events, it can actually be dangerous.

S.B. 354 helps protect fairness in women’s sports in Arkansas. The bill now goes to the Arkansas House of Representatives for consideration.

The Following Senators Voted FOR S.B. 354

  • B. Ballinger
  • Beckham
  • Bledsoe
  • Caldwell
  • A. Clark
  • B. Davis
  • J. Dismang
  • L. Eads
  • J. English
  • Flippo
  • T. Garner
  • Gilmore
  • K. Hammer
  • Hester
  • Hickey
  • Hill
  • Irvin
  • M. Johnson
  • B. Johnson
  • M. Pitsch
  • Rapert
  • Rice
  • B. Sample
  • G. Stubblefield
  • J. Sturch
  • D. Sullivan
  • Teague
  • D. Wallace

The Following Senators Voted AGAINST S.B. 354

  • L. Chesterfield
  • Elliott
  • S. Flowers
  • J. Hendren
  • K. Ingram
  • G. Leding
  • C. Tucker

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Bad Bill Would Prevent Healthcare Professionals From Helping Kids Overcome Unwanted Same-Sex Attraction, Gender Confusion

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On Tuesday Sen. Greg Leding (D – Fayetteville) and Rep. Tippi McCullough (D – Little Rock) filed S.B. 510 prohibiting so-called “conversion therapy” for minors in Arkansas.

S.B. 510 would prevent healthcare professionals from providing children with assistance overcoming unwanted same-sex attraction or gender confusion.

However, the bill would permit pro-LGBT counseling.

In other words, S.B. 510 would let counselors, doctors, and other healthcare professionals encourage children to accept same-sex attraction or disagree with their biological sex, but healthcare professionals would not be able to help children overcome unwanted same-sex attraction or accept their biological sex.

S.B. 510 infringes free speech and the free exercise of religion among licensed healthcare professionals. It does not contain any exceptions for healthcare professionals who have deeply-held religious convictions against performing pro-LGBT counseling.

It fails to account for the fact that many medical professionals, like the American College of Pediatricians, believe that encouraging a child to disagree with his or her biological sex amounts to child abuse.

Simply put: S.B. 510 is a radical, pro-LGBT proposal that would undermine the health and safety of children in Arkansas.

Read The Bill Here.

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Senate Education Committee Passes Bill to Protect Fairness in Women’s Sports

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Above: Sen. Missy Irvin and Alliance Defending Freedom Attorney Matt Sharp present S.B. 354 in committee.

On Monday afternoon the Senate Education Committee passed S.B. 354 along party lines in a vote of five to three.

This good bill by Sen. Irvin and Rep. Barker would protect fairness in girls’ athletics at school by preventing biologically male student athletes from competing in women’s sports.

Alliance Defending Freedom attorney Matt Sharp traveled to Arkansas to testify in favor of the bill as well as Minnesota powerlifter Beth Seltzer of the group Save Women’s Sports.

Following passage of S.B. 354, an unruly group of activists who opposed the bill began shouting “Shame! Shame!” while calling some of the bill’s supporters “weak” and other names.

S.B. 354 now goes to the entire Arkansas Senate for consideration.

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