Utah proposes panel to decide when transgender athletes play

By SAM METZ
Associated Press

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah lawmakers advanced a proposal Monday to create a commission of political appointees to make decisions about transgender student-athletes participating in youth sports. The idea is the latest attempt by Utah Republicans to add state oversight to youth sports and follows stalled efforts to pass an outright ban. Utah is among a larger group of Republican-led states weighing new rules governing transgender student-athletes. The debate pits those who believe a policy is needed to establish fairness in girls’ sports against others who argue the low number of transgender student-athletes suggests the issue is more about culture war than fairness.