The ASUW passed a resolution condemning a Wyoming Senate File that will be introduced during this month’s budgetary congressional session.
The gallery in the ASUW senate chambers was abnormally full on Tuesday evening as students and staff alike congregated for the controversial second reading and subsequent voting on Senate Resolution #2787.
The resolution outlines ASUW opposition to State Senate File 0051. The file, if passed, would ban transgender women athletes from competing in athletic events from kindergarten through collegiate levels.
This Senate File has created vast polarization throughout the state and on the university campus.
Riley Skorcz, founder and president of the Queer Community Coalition (QCC), was the first to speak when the Senate opened the forum.
“Queer people exist everywhere, whether you know and notice or not. They exist in small towns in Wyoming, and they exist in big ones too.” Skorcz said, “The passage of this resolution will show present and future students that the University of Wyoming is a welcoming place.”
Skorcz was followed by three other students-at-large voicing support for the passage of the resolution.
Following the voices in support, Elena Nachbar, a junior in mechanical engineering, addressed the senate.
“I am here to ask you to vote no for the senate resolution 2787.” Nachbar said, “I have played sports most of my life, and I find it very unfair and unconstitutional to have to be forced to compete against men, they are biological men, who identify as transgender women.”
After the open forum ended, the senate would go on to debate the resolution.
“First and foremost, I think it’s very important to acknowledge that the system already exists in the state of Wyoming regarding transgender athletes participation in the high school level, and the college level.” Senator Tanner Ewalt said during the debate.
“On the college level, which I think is most important to us, we are governed under the NCAA policy.”
Ewalt went on to explain that if Senate File 0051 were to pass, the University would likely face sanctions from the NCAA as the file would be in direct conflict with NCAA regulation.
These sanctions could range from “a $5000 one-time fine” to “being suspended from the season the moment it went into play” Ewalt said.
Other senators expressed their opposition to the resolution.
“Talking to many of my constituents,” Senator Bradley Bowles said in regard to why he would be voting no on the resolution. “I have found a relatively large opposition to this bill.”
Bowles was not alone in his opposition to the resolution.
“I think of an MMA fight, where a woman’s skull was cracked, and that was very hard for me to take,” Senator Johnathon True said
“because I have a niece growing up in this state, and I hope to have daughters growing up in this state, I would like for them to be able to compete in their sports and have a fair chance to achieve a goal that is attainable by them.”
After nearly an hour of debate between Senators, the resolution was motioned for a vote.
With an 18-6 majority, the resolution was adopted.
The passing of the resolution comes at an opportune time as the state budgetary session started on Monday.
As of Wednesday, Feb. 16, SF0051 currently awaits introduction to the Legislature.
