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Georgia Senate sends bill to ban trans girls from playing girls’ school sports to governor

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georgiarecorder.com – Ross Williams – 2025-03-31 16:36:00

by Ross Williams, Georgia Recorder
March 31, 2025

A bill banning transgender girls from playing school sports in girls’ athletics competition is on the way to Gov. Brian Kemp’s desk after passing both chambers on mostly party lines Monday.

Rep. Chris Erwin. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder

If it receives Gov. Brian Kemp’s signature, Senate Bill 1 will require all schools from elementary through college to designate teams as male, female and co-ed based on sex at birth and ban those assigned male at birth from playing on female teams. It also restricts access to facilities like restrooms, locker rooms and sleeping quarters during athletic events.

“This legislation does not target individuals, it targets inequities,” said Homer Republican Rep. Chris Erwin, who chairs the House Education Committee. “It safeguards the decades of progress made in women’s athletics by reaffirming the state’s interest in promoting equal opportunity and preventing unfair advantages.”

“This bill speaks to the heart of athletic integrity,” he added. “It is about ensuring that every child, regardless of gender, has a chance to compete safely and fairly.”

Rep. Karen Lupton. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder

Three House Democrats joined Republicans in supporting the bill: Augusta Rep. Lynn Heffner, Macon Rep. Tangie Herring and Valdosta Rep. Dexter Sharper. Another 13 House Democrats did not vote on the bill.

In the Senate, Dawson Sen. Freddie Powell Sims was the only Democrat to join all Senate Republicans to vote in support of the bill.

Chamblee Democratic Rep. Karen Lupton characterized the bill as hateful and useless.

The NCAA and Georgia High School Association already ban transgender girls from competing on girls’ teams.

Rep. Jasmine Clark. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder

“If this is a shield for girls in sports, you’d think that there’d be lots of coaches, lots of schools that run sports programs, lots of athletes coming up, storming the castle, and saying, ‘oh my gosh, we need this now,’” Lupton said. “Instead, the people who spoke to the bill were athletes who are currently competing with and against transgender athletes. We had clergy speak against SB1. We had parents of transgender children speak against SB1. Not a single coach. Not a single athletic organization.”

Lilburn Democratic Rep. Jasmine Clark said the bill will harm transgender people and could sweep up transgender and cisgender women and girls into invasive gender checks.

Clark gave examples of people who have been adversely affected by anti-trans laws in other states, including cisgender women who were followed into the ladies’ room by male police and a transgender male wrestler who won a women’s championship after not being allowed to compete against boys.

“We have created a bill that is a license to harass, a license to bully, a license to harm, and these actual athletes do not want this,” she said.” They did not ask for this. And I think that that is a problem.”

Rep. Josh Bonner. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder

Fayetteville Republican Rep. Josh Bonner, who carried the bill in the House, ended debate with the story of a friend of his daughter who he said got beat up by “a boy pretending to be a girl.”

“Biological males have an inherent physiological advantage. Allowing that advantage on the field places females up at risk,” he said.

“A yes vote provides a necessary protection for my daughter and thousands of other female athletes in Georgia,” he added.

Gov. Brian Kemp has indicated support for a transgender sports ban. After the session ends on Friday, he will have 40 days to sign it into law or to allow it to become law without his signature.

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Georgia Recorder is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Georgia Recorder maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor John McCosh for questions: info@georgiarecorder.com.

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News from the South - Georgia News Feed

Richmond Hill votes to roll back millage rate

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www.wsav.com – Christine Queally – 2025-09-02 22:39:00

SUMMARY: Richmond Hill City Council voted to roll back the millage rate from the proposed 4.132 to 3.981, avoiding a nearly 4% property tax increase. This decision followed several public hearings where residents expressed concerns about rising housing costs and the impact of higher property taxes on affordability. Critics questioned the city’s spending, citing funds tied up in unused land and city hall renovations amid infrastructure issues. Georgia law requires public hearings for maintaining or increasing millage rates. Mayor Russ Carpenter emphasized careful financial planning to balance taxpayer relief with maintaining essential city services.

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Teen girl, mother killed in ‘domestic murder-suicide’ | FOX 5

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www.youtube.com – FOX 5 Atlanta – 2025-09-02 21:33:30

SUMMARY: In Johns Creek, a man, James Choi, killed his wife Mia and their 15-year-old daughter Grace, a sophomore at Mount Pisgah Christian School, before taking his own life. Police discovered the family’s bodies during a welfare check at their Glencastle Court home. The tragic incident shocked the local community and school families, who expressed disbelief and sorrow. Mount Pisgah Christian School released a statement emphasizing support for students’ emotional health and extended condolences to the family. Authorities continue to investigate but confirm there is no ongoing threat to the community. The tragedy deeply affected students, parents, and staff alike.

Three family members, including a teen, were found dead in Johns Creek home. Police believe James Choi, 52, killed his wife and daughter before taking his own life. Authorities say the incident is isolated and their investigation remains ongoing.

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Why winner of $1.3 billion Powerball jackpot won’t be an instant billionaire

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www.wsav.com – Addy Bink – 2025-09-02 10:34:00

SUMMARY: The Powerball jackpot has risen to an estimated $1.3 billion after Monday’s drawing, marking the sixth time it has surpassed $1 billion and ranking as the fifth-largest Powerball jackpot ever. Despite the huge figure, winners don’t receive the full amount due to federal and state taxes, which can withhold about 37% of the prize. The advertised jackpot reflects the annuitized payout over 30 years, currently estimated at $820.3 million after taxes in states without lottery tax, while the lump sum cash option is about $589 million before taxes. Powerball drawings occur thrice weekly with odds of 1 in 292.2 million.

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