Supervisors reject Desmond resolution to support women, girls over trans in sports
Heated debate ensues as board votes down support for federal bill banning trans women from women’s sports, shifts focus to support equal pay for female athletes
COUNTY — Transgender women competing in girls and women’s sports has been one of the country’s hot-button issues for years.
Swimmer Lia Thomas made waves several years ago when she became the first openly transgender athlete to win an NCAA Division I national title in 2022. Thomas, who swam for the University of Pennsylvania, began her career as a man, her birth sex, at Penn and began hormone therapy in 2019, according to reports.
Last year, San Jose State University made headlines with a transgender woman on their volleyball team. Many schools in the Mountain West Conference forfeited matches against the Spartans and one SJSU assistant coach filed a Title IX complaint against the school.
The issue has exploded across the country for years. On Tuesday, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors killed a resolution by Sup. Jim Desmond to support House Resolution 28, the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act (H.R.28), introduced by Rep. Gregory Steube (R-Fla.) in January.
The bill passed the House in January and, if signed into law, would ban transgender women from competing in sports “designated for women or girls.”
A recent New York Times/Ipsos poll found 79% of Americans said biological males who identify as women should not be allowed to participate in women’s sports. The poll showed support from 94% of Republicans, 67% of Democrats and 64% of Independents.
“H.R. 28 will codify the executive order (by President Donald Trump) ensuring last protection for women and girls,” Desmond said. “This is especially critical as the state has stated it will not abide by the EO. Women and girls will face unfair and dangerous conditions. I really don’t know how we’ve gotten to this place in society. As a father, I wouldn’t want my daughter to play against boys and get injured. It’s not about competition, it’s about safety.”
Desmond also said there have been several cases of serious injuries, including one girl who suffered partial paralysis and a brain bleed after being hit in the face with a volleyball. He said there are other documented cases and it’s a matter of safety.
Upon Desmond’s resolution failing, acting Chairwoman Terra Lawson-Remer made a motion to strike everything but the title, “Support the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports,” and replace it with directing the “chief administrative officer to include advocacy and support for equal pay for women in sports in our board adopted legislative program.” Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe also supported Lawson-Remer’s motion.
Lawson-Remer said Desmond’s resolution was a waste of time and was not addressing the needs and issues of residents to make an impact. Desmond countered by saying her motion was also a waste of time since it doesn’t directly impact residents.
Supervisor Joel Anderson was absent from the meeting due to an illness.
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