TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Stacey Shrader Joslin on Mar 26, 2021

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee signed the so-called transgender athlete bill into law on Friday, the Tennessean reports. The legislation requires transgender students in the state to compete in school sports according to their gender at birth. The move makes Tennessee the third state to enact such legislation this year, following similar actions in Mississippi and Arkansas. Lee, who previously said transgender athlete participation would "destroy women's sports," said today he signed the bill to preserve women's athletics and ensure fair competition. Opponents argue the legislation is discriminatory and may invite economic loss and legal challenges in the future. ACLU Tennessee previously had threatened to sue the state if the bill became law.