A Tale of Two Worldviews

It couldn’t have been more clear than it was on the Arizona House floor Tuesday evening. Two viewpoints. Two ways of looking at the exact same issue. No common ground.  Some believing each must take one side over the other – at the cost of the other – and refusing to consider the merits of the issue or the problem being solved. This ought not be, but two worldviews have emerged in public policy that couldn’t be more polarized.

As Arizona representatives debated HB2706 – the Save Women’s Sports Act – on the House floor, opponents had no interest in finding a resolution to the growing problem of biological males competing in female sports – and crushing female athletes’ best efforts.

No, opponents, led by the LGBTQ community, drew a line and put themselves on the human side, and supporters of the bill on the monster side. In their argument, supporters hated the LGBTQ community and were out to get them, which couldn’t be further from the truth. Never did they acknowledge the growing trend and its impact on girl and women athletes who lose out on victories, titles, and scholarships when they are forced to compete with males.

Contrary to that approach, supporters of the bill, led by bill sponsor Rep. Nancy Barto, answered every question and concern opponents brought up, even amending the bill to clear up confusion and address legitimate concerns. Still, it wasn’t enough. It never is.

After hours of hyperbolic and flat out misrepresentation of the bill from opponents, two supporting representatives pointed out the sobering distinctions between two competing worldviews. Listen to Rep. John Kavanagh and House Speaker Rusty Bowers.

HB2706 passed the AZ House 31-29 along party lines. All 31 Republicans voted in favor, and all 29 Democrats voted against it. The bill now goes to the AZ Senate. It’s important to note that Arizona is one of up to 19 states considering similar legislation. Seven other states already have laws with various relevant limitations on the makeup of female sports teams.

Also, three female Connecticut high school runners filed a lawsuit recently citing a Title IX violation. Two biological males have taken 15 championship titles in two years since competing against the girls and other female athletes. And just this week, a female high school athlete in Hawaii filed a similar complaint.

Action Needed: Take time now to contact your state senator to encourage support for HB 2706.

ICYMI –

• A recent essay in Public Discourse tackles this week’s FMF subject on a larger scale stating, “We cannot reason together if one side no longer believes in the capacity of reason to discern what is true.”
• Good news for prolife Arizonans. A U.S. district court is allowing pro-life centers to defend Arizona’s 24-hour waiting period law. Read the court order here.
• The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in June Medical LLC v. Russo this week, and will determine if an LA law requiring abortion doctors to have hospital admitting privileges is constitutional. The case potentially has significant impact on Arizona’s pro-life laws. SCOTUS Blog has the analysis.
• There’s no doubt that the harsh words from U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer were threats toward conservative Supreme Court Justice considering the above case. The Schumer comments hit a new low in public discourse. Thankfully, his comments drew a rare rebuke from Chief Justice John Roberts.

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