Texas governor signs bill that bans transgender girls from female sports teams in schools

Texas' Republican Governor Greg Abbott has signed a bill into law hat will require public school students to compete in interscholastic athletic competitions based on biological sex. When the bill goes into effect in January, transgender students will be forced to compete on the team that corresponds to the sex on their birth certificate – which may differ from their gender identity. 

While bill's text states it will address past discrimination against girls in athletics, LGBT advocates say it will prevent transgender athletes from participating on teams designated for their gender identity.

Amit Paley, CEO and executive director of the Trevor Project, which works to prevent suicide among LGBTQ youth, said even though the Texas bill has been signed, the fight isn't over. "@TrevorProject is here for support 24/7—we'll continue working w/ our partners to challenge this law to protect trans & nonbinary Texans. #LetKidsPlay," he tweeted.