(AP) – A ballot measure approved Tuesday by voters in Washington state will prohibit transgender athletes from participating in girls’ school sports.
Proponents said the new law will increase fairness and safety in girls’ sports. Opponents had argued the measure could require invasive exams of many athletes to weed out a small number of transgender ones.
Similar laws are common in Republican-controlled states. But lawmakers in Washington and other Democratic-dominated states have not previously advanced them.
Republicans have emphasized the issue in recent years — and a growing number of Democratic politicians have aligned with them, at least partly.
The measure was placed on the Washington ballot through a citizens’ initiative. The state Legislature could change or repeal the law after two years with a simple majority, or sooner with support of two-thirds of both the House and Senate.
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