Steve Cortes, CNN Political Commentator (left) & Dave Prestin, Michigan House Representative (right) | Facebook
Steve Cortes, CNN Political Commentator (left) & Dave Prestin, Michigan House Representative (right) | Facebook
State Representatives Dave Prestin and Greg Markkanen have cast their votes in favor of House Bills 4066 and 4469, which aim to safeguard women's sports in Michigan. The proposed legislation seeks to prevent biological males from participating in girls' high school sports and aims to integrate Title IX protections for women's sports into the Michigan Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act.
Markkanen, representing Hancock, expressed his views on the matter: “Men cannot magically become women just like men should not magically become gold medalists because they found their so-called ‘true identity’ – just so long as that identity lands them at the peak of athletic achievement. I’m proud to support science and commonsense by voting to uphold an equal playing field for true female athletes. If a man wants to be a better athlete, he should practice harder, not start swinging at girls.”
Prestin, from Cedar River, shared his personal perspective: “I watched as my daughter poured her heart into sports growing up. She practiced endlessly, committing herself to perfecting her craft and being the best athlete she could be. The idea that we should let biological males invade girls’ sports is absurd. Our grandmothers and great-grandmothers didn’t work for decades to give women an equal playing field. We cannot let biological males, whether pre- or post-pubescent, destroy everything they worked to build. We need to protect our female athletes, whether in grade school or the highest levels of competition.”
The bills received bipartisan support in the House and are now set for further deliberation in the Senate.
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