The recent debate surrounding the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act has sparked controversy and led to some Democrats abandoning their party affiliation. The act, which aims to prevent biological males from competing in women's sports, has been met with fierce opposition from some Democratic lawmakers, who have argued, without evidence, that the legislation would lead to invasive examinations of young girls. This claim has been refuted by Republicans, who maintain that birth certificates would suffice for gender verification.

This contentious argument has not sat well with some lifelong Democrats. Rutgers law professor Gary Francione, a self-described advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, abortion rights, and animal rights, expressed his outrage at the Democrats' tactics. He told Fox News Digital that he unregistered from the Democratic Party after witnessing what he considered a dishonest and inflammatory attempt to link the bill to child predation. Francione believes this strategy has backfired and damaged the party's integrity. He also revealed that several other Democrats within his network share his sentiments and plan to leave the party as well.

Francione's decision to leave the party gained traction on social media, with many users echoing his frustration and vowing to do the same. He argues that allowing transgender athletes to compete in women's sports is inherently unfair to female athletes who have dedicated themselves to their sport. He characterized the Democratic argument against the bill as “insane” and “irresponsible.”

Francione isn't alone in his disillusionment. Even former U.S. Olympic cyclist Inga Thompson, a lifelong Democrat, has expressed support for protecting women's sports. This sentiment seems to be gaining traction, with several prominent Democrats choosing to rebrand the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act as the "House GOP Child Predator Empowerment Act." This includes figures like House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and several others who voted against the bill. Ocasio-Cortez, in particular, dismissed concerns about the lack of language in the bill related to genital inspections, arguing that the absence of an enforcement mechanism opens the door to all sorts of potential abuses.

Despite the backlash, some Democrats who oppose the bill have distanced themselves from the argument about child predators, focusing instead on the broader issue of transgender inclusion. Rep. Seth Moulton, for example, previously acknowledged that the Democrats' stance on transgender athletes cost them votes in recent elections. However, he still voted against the bill, citing concerns about potential privacy violations. Only two Democrats broke ranks and voted in favor of the bill: Reps. Henry Cuellar and Vicente Gonzales of Texas. Their decision reflects a growing national trend, as evidenced by a recent New York Times/Ipsos poll showing that a significant majority of Americans, including a majority of Democrats, oppose allowing transgender athletes to compete in women's sports.

This divide between Democratic lawmakers and their constituents highlights the challenges facing the party as it navigates this complex issue. Francione and others like him believe the party has lost its way, failing to represent the views of many of its voters. The debate over the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act continues to unfold, with significant implications for both the future of women's sports and the political landscape.