U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) announced a series of legislative measures aimed at safeguarding women and girls in sports. The proposals include a resolution urging the NCAA to revoke its transgender student-athlete eligibility policy, a bill to analyze and combat violence against women in athletics, and a resolution to designate October 10 as ‘American Girls in Sports Day,’ a measure previously blocked by Senate Democrats.
During the NCAA’s annual meeting in Nashville this week, where member institutions convene to review policies, Senator Blackburn highlighted the urgent need to address fairness and safety in women’s sports.
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Despite calls for reform, the NCAA has not updated its policy regarding the participation of transgender athletes in women’s sports.
“Young women across the country have suffered injuries, faced harassment, and lost accolades because they were forced to share spaces designed for women with men,” said Senator Blackburn. “The vast majority of Americans agree athletes should only compete on teams that correspond with their biological sex. We must put an end to this assault on women once and for all.”
Senator Blackburn’s initiatives include:
- Fair Play for Girls Act: This bill directs the U.S. Attorney General to submit a comprehensive analysis to Congress on the challenges facing biological female athletes, including impediments to fair competition, prevalence of violence, and effectiveness of existing laws in mitigating risks and preventing harassment.
- Resolution Urging the NCAA to Act: This measure calls on the NCAA to revoke its transgender athlete policy and enforce a biological sex-based standard across all divisions and sports. The resolution also encourages other sports-governing bodies in the U.S. to protect women’s sports for biological females.
- ‘American Girls in Sports Day’ Resolution: This resolution seeks to designate October 10 as a day to celebrate the achievements of female athletes.
The legislation has garnered support from high-profile athletes, advocates, and organizations:
- Riley Gaines, 12-time NCAA All-American swimmer, stated, “Far too many young women have been harmed because they were forced to compete with young men masquerading as girls. This abuse cannot continue.”
- Caitlyn Jenner, former Olympic gold medalist, commended the effort, calling it “common sense” and a crucial step to ensure fairness in sports.
- Sage Steele, sports broadcaster, emphasized the importance of preserving Title IX protections, which have supported female athletes for over 50 years.
Other supporters include Independent Women’s Forum, Parents Defending Education Action, and Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee.
The proposed bills and resolutions have received endorsements from numerous Republican senators, including Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.).
The Fair Play for Girls Act and accompanying resolutions reflect a collective effort to address concerns over fairness, safety, and equity in women’s athletics.
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This legislative push builds on Blackburn’s long-standing advocacy for women’s rights in sports. It follows recent studies, including a United Nations report, which highlight the competitive disadvantages biological females face when competing against biological males. The Biden administration’s changes to Title IX, which allowed biological males to compete in women’s sports, have been a flashpoint in this debate.
Blackburn’s proposals come at a critical moment as lawmakers and sports organizations face mounting public pressure to address the issue. With broad support from advocacy groups and Republican lawmakers, the measures could mark a significant step in reshaping the landscape of women’s athletics in the United States.
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