Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said Saturday that he opposed transgender athletes competing in women’s and girls’ sports.
During an interview with CNN’s Michael Smerconish on Saturday, Kennedy was asked about males competing against females in women’s sports. The 69-year-old son of former Sen. Robert F. Kennedy announced his presidential candidacy earlier in April.
“I would, I think that I am against people participating in women’s sports who are biologically male,” Kennedy said. “I think women have worked too hard to develop … women’s sports over the past 30 years. I watched it happen. And I don’t think that’s fair.”
With his comments, Kennedy is one of only a few Democratic officials or candidates who have publicly signaled opposition to transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports.
It comes as the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act several days ago, effectively barring educational institutions that receive federal funding from allowing male athletes to compete in women’s sports. No Democrats backed the bill, but 10 refused to cast a vote.
But President Joe Biden said that he would veto the bill if it reaches his desk, and it’s unlikely the Democrat-controlled Senate would pass the measure.
A Biden administration proposal that was unveiled earlier this month would disallow colleges and schools from placing outright bans on transgender athletes. A number of state legislatures across the United States have passed such bans in recent months.
“The criteria also would have to minimize harm to students whose opportunity to participate on a male or female team consistent with their gender identity would be limited or denied,” the Department of Education said in its proposal this month.
The topic became of national interest after Lia Thomas, born a male, became the NCAA Division I swimming champion. The issue was again thrust into the spotlight following the recent attack targeting Riley Gaines, a former Kentucky collegiate swimmer who had competed against Thomas.
Censored Interview?
Kennedy’s Democratic 2024 opponents include Biden, who announced his own presidential bid last week, and author Marianne Williamson. Both are considered long-shot candidates against Biden, although a recent poll showed that Kennedy has about 19 percent support and Williamson has about 9 percent support, respectively, against the president.
