Atlanta, GA — A significant majority of voters in Georgia have expressed support for legislation that would require transgender girls and women to participate in sports according to the gender specified on their original birth certificates. A recent poll conducted by the University of Georgia’s School of Public and International Affairs Survey Research Center reveals that more than 70% of respondents favor this measure, with about 60% expressing strong support.
The survey, conducted between January 2 and January 10, included 1,000 registered voters and has a margin of error of 3.1 percentage points. This high level of support comes amid a broader national conversation about the rights and participation of transgender individuals in sports and other areas of public life.
Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones has prioritized the regulation of girls’ and women’s sports this legislative session, indicating the political importance of the issue in the state. State Senator Greg Dolezal, a Republican from Cumming and the chair of a Senate committee formed by Jones to study this issue, introduced the proposed legislation, which would affect transgender women and girls from middle school through college levels. Both public and private educational institutions, as well as those from out-of-state competing against Georgia schools, would need to comply with this law.
Public opinion on this matter differs by demographics and individual circumstances. Devoris Marks, a 41-year-old resident of Clayton County, shared his straightforward view: “If you were born a man, you should play and compete with men.” On the other side of the debate, Essie Bowling, an 82-year-old, suggested that lawmakers consider stages of development and timing of transition for eligibility to play in female sports categories.
Further revealing the divide on transgender issues, the poll also illustrated a split in opinions concerning bathroom use. Over half of the surveyed voters believe that transgender individuals should use bathrooms corresponding to the gender on their birth certificate, with nearly 47% strongly supporting restrictive bathroom laws. Despite no immediate plans for such “bathroom bans,” concerns among LGBTQ+ activists persist that restrictions in sports could pave the way for broader limitations.
The topic of transgender participation in sports is underlined by the absence of any reported cases of transgender children currently competing in Georgian sports leagues, raising questions about the necessity and timing of such legislation.
Additionally, the poll touched on the broader, pressing issue of gun violence, reflecting widespread apprehension among Georgians about mass shootings, particularly in schools. Following a recent shooting at Apalachee High School, House Speaker Jon Burns highlighted his openness to reasonable measures aimed at curbing such incidents, including proposals for tax credits for the purchase of gun safety equipment.
While most respondents expressed varying levels of concern about gun violence, opinions diverged on the effectiveness of stricter gun laws to prevent mass shootings. A forty-one percent plurality were not confident at all in stricter gun laws as a preventative measure, whereas less than half showed some degree of confidence.
The discussion extends into reproductive issues, with a significant majority supporting legislative guarantees for access to in vitro fertilization (IVF), showing more than 79% approval among those polled. This support also stems from broader concerns over potential implications of abortion laws on the legal status of embryos used in IVF treatments, highlighting the complexity and sensitivity surrounding reproductive rights issues.
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