Rep. Sykes Denounces House Passage of H.R. 734, the “Politics Over Participation Act”
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representative Emilia Strong Sykes (OH-13) denounced House Passage of H.R. 734, the “Politics Over Participation Act.”
“Let me be clear—H.R. 734 is an attack on innocent children. The people of Ohio’s 13th District did not send me to Congress to bully our kids,” said Rep. Sykes. “Anti-equality politicians need to stop attacking the LGBTQ+ community and instead prioritize addressing the pressing issues facing our country, including providing support for working families, lowering healthcare costs, tackling the climate crisis, and addressing gun violence. I will always protect the safety of every child that lives in Northeast Ohio, hence why I voted against H.R. 734.”
More than 95 leading women’s and girls’ rights organizations, including the Women’s Sports Foundation and National Women’s Law Center, support full inclusion of all students—including transgender, intersex, and nonbinary students—in school sports and oppose this bill. In a letter to Congress opposing this bill, the groups call the bill’s name, the “Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act,” an “intentionally deceptive misnomer as H.R. 734 makes no effort to address the actual, pervasive discriminatory barriers that women and girls continue to face in school athletics.” These barriers include fewer athletic opportunities for girls in school sports than boys, and lack of investment in girls’ sports—including facilities.
As a member of the Equality Caucus, Rep. Sykes supports the Caucus’ mission to promote equality for all people regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or sex characteristics.