Transgender

The Massachusetts House on Wednesday passed language that would ban public schools from allowing athletes to play on a team of the opposite sex, but only after the state is able to study the policy’s impact.

The Democrat-controlled House passed the provision without a recorded vote, tacking it onto a wider $1.3 billion spending bill that the chamber later passed Wednesday afternoon.

The provision, nonetheless, drew swift condemnation from gay and transgender advocates, who feared it gives credibility to arguments that transgender student athletes have an unfair advantage in sports.

“Right now the trans community is under attack from the federal government and the executive branch. The last thing our community needs is for legislators in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts making transgender kids a target,” Neslusan said. “I am extremely dismayed that they are treating this issue as if it’s even a credible thing to say or to even look into.”