Maria Caspani

(Reuters) – South Carolina governor Henry McMaster signed a bill this week banning transgender athletes playing in school sports that are compatible with their gender identity. He joins a few Republican-led states who have enacted similar laws.

After the Republican majority defeated over 1,000 Democratic amendments, the “Save Women’s Sports Act”, cleared the House of Representatives in the state last month. It passed the Republican-controlled Senate earlier this month.

McMaster signed Monday’s measure into law, which bars transgender women and girls from participating in female sports teams at public elementary, middle, and high schools. It also applies to private schools that are competing against public schools.

Senate amended the law to ban transgender young men and boys from participating on school sports teams.

The law’s supporters, and many others similar to it, say that it is essential for women in sports. Advocates for LGBTQ and those opposed to it argue that the law is cruel and incongruous because it addresses a problem which does not exist due to the relatively small number transgender athletes participating in school sports.

Ivy Hill of Campaign for Southern Equality stated that “transgender youths are not a threat for fairness in sports.”

Transgender rights are at the forefront of U.S. culture warfares. At least half a dozen U.S. states have passed legislation this year that prohibits transgender students playing on schools sports teams that match their gender identity.

Louisiana lawmakers and Alaska legislators are currently considering similar bills or moving forward with them.