A Tuesday hearing on gambling addiction turned awry when Senators John Kennedy (R-LA) and Josh Hawley (R-MO) suddenly turned the conversation towards the issue of transgender inclusion in sports.In a hearing about theSupporting Affordability and Fairness with Every Bet Act (SAFE Bet Act) a law that is meant to discourage sports gambling addiction the two senators barraged NCAA chief Charlie Baker with questions about allowing biological males to play games with biological females. Kennedy told him to stand up in front of God and country and oppose trans womens inclusion in sports, and to stand up and take a leadership position, as well as to go to Amazon and buy a spine online. Related Transgender people could use teammates in these times A Trans Day of Remembrance message for the difficult times to come, in sports and in everyday life, for trans people. Hawley then jumped in and repeatedly talked over Baker, raising his voice to claim that there is no federal law that allows trans women to play against women and to shout This is your federal policy that you will not defend because it is indefensible. He also questioned Baker about recent forfeitures against San Jose State University due to them allegedly having a single trans player on their team. Stay connected to your community Connect with the issues and events that impact your community at home and beyond by subscribing to our newsletter. Subscribe to our Newsletter today Despite Hawleys claim, the U.S. Constitution and federal law guarantee equal treatment of college athletes. While this should include trans athletes, there have been recent scientific and political debates about whether trans female athletes have biological advantages over cisgender competitors. Republicans have largely opposed trans inclusion in sports and vilified trans athletes and their allies as harming cis female athletes.Baker was also asked by Sen. Dick Durban (D-IL) how many trans athletes there were. Out of 510,000 total athletes, Baker said, there are less than 10 total in NCAA schools (a figure that translates to fewer than 0.002% of all NCAA athletes). Baker also defended trans women, saying it was debatable whether theyd always, no matter what have a physical advantage over cisgender women.There is no concrete evidence that trans women have an unfair advantage in sports. A recent study found that trans women have equivalent physical metrics to cisgender women after being on hormone replacement therapy. Few other studies examine trans athletes in comparison to cisgender athletes.Sen. Durbin continued on X, 510,000 NCAA athletes. Ten or fewer transgender NCAA athletes nationwide. Lets focus on ways to actually improve womens sports. 510,000 NCAA athletes. Ten or fewer transgender NCAA athletes nationwide.Lets focus on ways to actually improve womens sports. https://t.co/7BKT16dntT Senator Dick Durbin (@SenatorDurbin) December 17, 2024Minority Whip of the West Virginia House of Representatives Shawn Fluharty said, Congressional hearing on sports betting turned into a hearing on political tantrums on manufactured outrage over NCAA trans athlete policy. If Congress wants to jump in on sports betting, maybe find some adults in the room first. That was embarrassing.Congressional hearing on sports betting turned into a hearing on political tantrums on manufactured outrage over NCAA trans athlete policy. If Congress wants to jump in on sports betting, maybe find some adults in the room first. That was embarrassing. Shawn Fluharty (@WVUFLU) December 17, 2024Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.