The Sconi

A recent poll has revealed that Wisconsin voters are largely against allowing biological males, who identify as females, to participate in female sports. The margin of opposition stands at nearly four-to-one, or 73 to 19 percent. Voters with school-aged children expressed a particularly strong sentiment against such policies, with an 83 to 11 percent margin deeming them unfair.

According to a memo prepared by North Star Opinion Research, which conducted the poll for the League of American Workers, independent voters also found it unfair by a 75 to 16 percent margin. Even among Democrats, there was significant opposition with 45 percent saying it was unfair to allow biological males to compete in female sports, while only 38 percent believed it was fair.

The poll also found that even among voters without school-aged children in their homes, there was a strong belief that it was unfair - a sentiment shared by a 69 to 21 percent margin.

The issue of boys participating in girl's sports has been in the Wisconsin news recently, with Green Bay Area Public School District parents "voicing their concerns about a transgender athlete potentially participating in a girls' sport," reported Fox 11 News. 

“A lot of these girls are specifically quitting this team because they're concerned for their safety,” said parent Ryan Gusick, and "the parents say girls are leaving with welts and bruises they've never received before," reported Fox 11. 

The Wisconsin General Assembly passed three bills pertaining to this issue in October 2023. AB-377 and AB 378 would mandate athletes to compete on sports teams corresponding to their biological sex for K-12 and UW/tech colleges respectively. 

However, Governor Evers has pledged to veto "every one" of these bills, reported Advocate.

During legislative debate on the legislation, State Rep. Dave Considine (D-Baraboo) said that, “Since we've funded Title IX sports, the gap has consistently lessened between the best men and the best women” and “I’m not so sure it's biological. It goes back to the money and the training.”

Considine also said that “some parents are concerned that their daughter might miss out on a scholarship and “that doesn't sound like community, that sounds like selfishness.”

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