New Legislation for Women’s Sports Equity
Republican Representative Andy Barr from Kentucky has announced plans to introduce legislation that demands schools and higher education institutions to “ensure biological equity” in women’s sports as a prerequisite for federal funding.
This proposed bill, known as “The Defend Girls Athletics Act,” seeks to mandate compliance with a February executive order from former President Donald Trump that prohibits biological men from participating in women’s sports. According to the bill, educational institutions must submit annual compliance reports detailing their adherence to these orders.
The Department of Education (DOE) can withhold funding from any educational institution that doesn’t meet these compliance standards. Additionally, institutions of higher education, including those with student loan programs, must provide their accreditation report by July 1st each year to qualify for federal funds.
If passed, institutions failing to comply would indeed risk losing their funding until they agree to follow the outlined procedures.
Representative Barr stated, “Biological boys don’t belong in women’s sports. As a father of two girls who play sports, I am committed to protecting our girls’ rights. President Trump and his secretary, Linda McMahon, have paved the way for these protections, supported by activists and athletes such as my constituent Riley Gaines. Schools nationwide must take similar actions, or female athletes risk facing unfair competition.”
Interestingly, the bill has garnered support from 49 lawmakers, including House Republican Speaker Lisa McClain, Florida’s Byron Donald, South Carolina’s Nancy Mace, and Arizona’s Andy Biggs.
McClain expressed her belief in the importance of equality in women’s sports, stating, “Women athletes deserve to compete on a fair playing field. Their hard work and accomplishments are worthy of respect. This initiative is about fairness, and it aims to safeguard opportunities for future generations.” She emphasized pride in co-hosting the bill with Barr to solidify Trump’s executive actions, which are designed to uphold the integrity of women’s sports and protect the progress made since Title IX was enacted.
The proposed legislation has also received backing from Riley Gaines, a former swimmer and women’s rights advocate. Gaines remarked, “This is enough. Allowing women to compete against men in our spaces is an infringement on our rights, safety, and dignity. It’s encouraging to know leaders stand up for women under President Trump’s guidance.”
On another note, several liberal states are resisting these federal directives, raising legal challenges that complicate enforcement of the funding restrictions. In April, for example, the DOE planned to cut all K-12 funds in Maine, while the Department of Agriculture disbanded nutrition program funding due to violations linked to transgender athlete involvement. However, a settlement reached in early May affected these funding decisions.
The Department of Justice is currently involved in a lawsuit against California’s Department of Education over its non-compliance with the administration’s separation of men’s and women’s sports. Minnesota’s Attorney General has also initiated legal proceedings regarding state funds related to this controversy.
Earlier this year, the House passed a bill termed “Protection of Women and Girls in Sports,” aiming to amend Title IX to prevent men from competing against female athletes. Only two House Democrats, Vicente Gonzalez and Henry Cuellar from Texas, voted in favor.
Concerns have risen regarding the safety of female athletes, with reports indicating that some have sustained injuries while competing against male athletes. For instance, a North Carolina volleyball player reportedly suffered serious injuries after a collision with a male player. Similarly, a basketball game in Massachusetts was abruptly halted after three female athletes were injured in a confrontation with a male-identifying player.
Research shows that, even in non-elite settings, the physical advantages that stronger males possess can pose significant safety risks in female sports. As of March 2024, nearly 600 female athletes have lost upwards of 890 medals to male competitors across over 400 events, highlighting the ongoing debate around this issue.
