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

LGBT, ,
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

LGBT,

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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Arkansas Passes “No Patient Left Alone Act”

Legislature,

On Tuesday the Arkansas Senate overwhelmingly passed H.B. 1061, the No Patient Left Alone Act, by Rep. Julie Mayberry (R – Hensley) and Sen. Breanne Davis (R – Russellville).

This is a good piece of legislation that will help ensure people in healthcare facilities can receive visitors — even during a pandemic

The bill now goes to Gov. Hutchinson to become law.

At the beginning of this year Family Council outlined a list of priorities for the first few months of 2021. One of them was to secure passage of legislation that would protect people from being left alone and denied visitors in hospitals, nursing homes, and similar facilities. That’s what H.B. 1061 does.

H.B. 1061 is a very good bill. Family Council was pleased to work with Rep. Mayberry — as well as several groups and individuals — to help support its passage.

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