NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A new bill requiring Tennessee students to play sports based on their birth certificate’s gender identification is being called “demeaning” by activists and “proactive” by the bill’s sponsor.

Introduced last month, the bill would require student athletes to only compete against other athletes of the same biological sex.

The bill would affect transgender athletes, who may be a gender different than the one assigned at birth. For example, a student’s birth certificate could list the student as female, but the student identifies as male and present as so or vice versa.

The bill’s sponsor, state Rep. Bruce Griffey, called it a “proactive measure,” meant to “maintain fairness” specifically for female athletes, he told CNN. Griffey said genetic males have “larger hearts” and more upper body strength that gives them an advantage in sports.

“It’s not intended to demean, degrade, or diminish anyone,” Griffey said. “It’s just trying to maintain fairness.”

When asked about those assigned female at birth who identify as male, Griffey said there isn’t a simple solution. He reiterated that “males have a genetic advantage” and that it isn’t “fair to put the burden on the girls.” FULL STORY HERE