Transgenders take another hit in attempt to participate in female school sports

The Texas House of Representatives passed a bill that bans transgender women and girls from participating in female school sports. After three previous failed attempts the bill was passed this week. Republican Governor Greg Abbott will sign it into law once the bill hits his desk. Texas will now join seven other states that passed similar laws this year. The new bill going around is part of a national campaign, in which Republican legislators introduced such bills in 32 states.

"We need a statewide level playing field," bill sponsor Representative Valoree Swanson said during the debate.

While the Texas Senate passed a companion bill, three previous House versions of the legislation stalled in the public education committee, which has a Democratic chairman. Republicans then created a new version of the bill and sent it through to a select committee controlled by them, which allowed them to be able to pass the bill in the House late Thursday.

The bill has gone back to the Senate for procedural approval and is expected to reach Abbott's desk. Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Mississippi, Montana, Tennessee and West Virginia have passed similar transgender sports legislation bills, and South Dakota's governor signed an executive order. Some of these face legal challenges.

Idaho passed a similar law last year that has been blocked by a federal court. A federal court in July ruled that an 11-year-old West Virginia trans girl must be allowed to try out for the girls' track and cross-country teams at her school.