The Assembly has again passed legislation to protect women’s sports by keeping competition on a level playing field. The bills ensure that student-athletes are competing in accordance with their respective sex, as determined by a physician at birth and reflected on their birth certificate. A third category is coed or allowing participants of any sex the opportunity to compete together.

We also voted in favor of prohibiting gender surgery for minors. Until a child turns 18, they can't vote, buy or use alcohol, or tobacco, join the military, get a tattoo, buy a lottery ticket, buy a car, change their name, open a bank account, sign a contract, etc. Children are not mentally mature enough to make such a life-altering and irreversible decision. Not only that, the pharmaceutical drugs given to minors for gender transition are not FDA-approved. The side effects and long-term risks are not yet known.

An article by FRONTLINE discusses how children have to think about whether they want biological children someday. Pediatric endocrinologist Dr. Courtney Finlayson told FRONTLINE, “It’s really important to talk to these children and families about fertility. I do worry that at that stage in life, many of them may not be able to realize how important that would be to them someday.”

My Democratic colleagues continue to use the word hate when discussing these bills, and I am sick of the empty rhetoric. No one hates kids because we want them to wait until they're adults to make such a significant, life-altering decision. Many countries, including Norway, Sweden, Finland, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, do not allow for gender transition surgery before the age of 18.

While Governor Evers has said he will veto all three bills, Assembly Republicans know this is what the vast majority of Wisconsinites agree with. It is my hope he will listen to the people of Wisconsin, a claim he makes often but rarely seems to do.