Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey offers to ‘fix’ ESPN tweet over transgender legislation

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey offers to ‘fix’ ESPN tweet over transgender legislation

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey took to Twitter on Tuesday night to help ESPN “fix” its tweet about the legislation she signed that will ban transgender women from playing on female sports teams in college.

ESPN tweeted, “Alabama Governor Kay Ivey signed legislation on Tuesday that will ban transgender women from playing on female sports teams in college. This expands the state’s existing ban on transgender athletes on K-12 sports teams.”

The Alabama governor re-tweeted ESPN late Tuesday night with a clarification.

Let me fix that, ESPN,” she tweeted,

“Alabama Governor Kay Ivey signed legislation on Tuesday that will ban biological MEN from playing on FEMALE sports teams in college.”

The legislation expands the state’s existing 2021 ban on transgender athletes on K-12 sports teams to include college teams. Students assigned one sex at birth would be prohibited from playing under a different gender identity, even after undergoing hormone treatment.

“Look, if you are a biological male, you are not going to be competing in women’s and girls’ sports in Alabama. It’s about fairness, plain and simple,” Ivey said in a statement.

At least 20 states have now imposed restrictions on transgender athletes at the K-12 or collegiate level, or both.

While supporters say transgender women have an unfair advantage in competition, opponents say the bills are about shaming transgender people and are rooted in discrimination and politics.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.