For those wondering why American politics is as messed up as many feel it is. Ohio’s House of Representatives gave us an example on Thursday. Through throwing an otherwise uncontroversial bill affecting college athletes off-course.

Before Thursday, Ohio’s student-athlete name, image and likeness compensation bill was blazing towards speedy house approval. After being unanimously approved in the state senate earlier this month. The speedy process was thrown off course; starting a wild course of events in the process. Representative Jena Powell (R-Arcanum) added a controversial amendment to the bill. Which would restrict transgender women from competing on women’s high school and collegiate teams. Forcing transgender women to compete on men’s or co-ed teams. Along with that, schools that allow transgender women to play on women’s teams could face a civil suit.

Similar legislation on this issue has swept through several Republican-led statehouses. Previous attempts to pass this kind of legislation have been made in Ohio’s statehouse. Efforts last year faded into the background when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Those efforts have gone into overdrive at the state level in 2021. The bill (SB 187) with the transgender ban passed 57-36, mostly along party lines.

Legislators removed an emergency clause from the bill. Which would’ve allowed the original NIL bill to immediately take effect. After being signed by Governor Mike DeWine. An important component of the bill that would’ve put Ohio on track to allow NIL by July 1^st. When NIL compensation laws take effect in several states.

Kentucky is now on the list of those states. Following an executive order from Gov. Andy Beshear signed on Thursday. The order allows for college athletes to profit off of their name, image and likeness. Brought about due to an NIL bill stalling in a senate committee. Back in Ohio, the addition of the transgender women’s sports restrictions meant SB 187 was sent back to the Senate. However, senators were not enthused about passing the NIL bill with the transgender sports restrictions in it. As a result, the Senate added the NIL legislation to a different bill.

The senate added the NIL language to House Bill 29. Which if passed would create veteran identification cards and legalize sports betting. House Bill 29 passed with flying colors through Ohio’s Senate 31-0. The changes sends the bill back to the house. If the bill passes in the house, all that would be left is Gov. DeWine’s approval.

So now we find ourselves back to where we started the week. With NIL compensation’s fate in the Ohio House of Representatives’ hands. All because some representatives wanted to stoke a culture war about transgender people. A group that already faces many challenges in society. Challenges that no person would tolerate if they faced it themselves.

From employment, housing and health care discrimination. Struggles to be accepted by their families and communities. While facing harassment, ignorance, depression and being victims of crime at horrifying rates. Amid all of that, some politicians are deciding to metaphorically kick people while their down. While throwing a wrench into bipartisan and uncontroversial NIL compensation legislation.

There’s another reason why Thursday’s chaos in Columbus was such a bizarre moment. The legislative changes come amid a big week on two separate fronts. For college sports and the LGBT+ community sports-wise in America. The week began with two major announcements. First, the U.S. Supreme Court handed the NCAA a unanimous defeat in the NCAA v. Alston case. Ruling that the NCAA cannot enforce restrictions on student-athletes receiving certain education-related benefits. Monday’s ruling and the NIL movement mark two stinging blows to the NCAA’s grip on college sports.

The NCAA v. Alston ruling was announced on Monday morning. Later in the day, Las Vegas Raiders player Carl Nassib made history. Through publicly revealing that he’s gay in a social media post. Becoming the first openly gay National Football League player. The reactions to Nassib’s announcement from the league, current and former players remains overwhelmingly positive. Marking a turning point when it comes to American sports and the LGBT+ community. At a time when transgender athletes face ire from various statehouses.

Through veering into the kind of culture wars that make people despise politics. Ohio’s House of Representatives unnecessarily turned what was set to be a 100 meter dash into a decathlon.