A transgender high school athlete addressed a New Hampshire state hearing on banning trans girls from competing.
A new bill in the state, known as SB 375, was being pored over on Monday by legislators, LGBTQ groups and educators before the state Education Committee.
It is one of two bills in the state that would ban transgender girls from competing on sports teams aligning with their gender identity.
Trans teen Maelle Jacques, who was born a male and previously won a girl's high jump state championship, insisted she didn't join female sports to win outright.
The 16 year-old did so despite hammering the competition during high jump tournaments, as critics insist trans girls who've gone through male puberty retain considerable biological advantages over biological females.
Jacques told the hearing: 'I'm here to testify in opposition of SB375. Throughout my entire life, sports have been an integral part to my belonging.
'I didn't join sports with the goal of dominating competition or being better than anyone else.
'No one would go through the bullying and self hatred of transition purely to win a sport, especially woman's sports, which are under appreciated in our nation.
'I joined because it is something I am passionate about and enjoy. If banned from sports teams and locker rooms, joining male teams wouldn't be a choice for me.'
In February, she won the girls' high jump at the New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association Division 2 state indoor track and field championship.
She finished first place with a 5'1' mark - an inch better than any of her female competitors, but way below the lowest high jump in the boys' division, which was 5'8'.
According to the Track & Field Results Reporting System, Jacques has competed in seven meets this year, earning six first-place finishes for the high jump.
Jacques is currently a freshman at Kearsarge Regional High School in Sutton, New Hampshire, and plays for their girl's soccer team.
Former NCAA swimmer and high profile advocate for the continued existence of women's sports Riley Gaines had also previously posted on X about Jacques.
After the Independent Council on Women's Sports shared news that Jacques had won the girls state championship in February, Gaines said: 'How could the parents of this boy allow their son to cheat deserving women out of opportunities?
'And why don't the parents of the girls stand up and say 'no' for their daughters? This country is full of failing, gutless mothers and fathers.'
Following the testimony on Monday, the Education Committee voted against the bill 19-1, and have 'politely killed it', according to The Portsmouth Herald.
Trans high school athlete addresses hearing on banning trans girls
Trans teen Maelle Jacques, who was born a male and previously won a girl's high jump state championship , said she didn't join female sports to win outright.
www.dailymail.co.uk
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