Senators Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tn.), James Lankford (R-Okla.) and Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) on Tuesday introduced the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act to make it a violation of Title IX for a school that receives federal education funds to permit a biological male to participate in a sports program designated for women and girls.
Under Senator Loeffler’s bill, schools that allow biological males to compete against women and girls in sports, which she said disrupts the goals established by Title IX, would be in danger of losing federal funding.
For example, she said a high-profile case in Connecticut resulted in two biological males winning 15 women’s track championship titles previously held by nine women. One of these males set a first-place record for the women’s track event, which would have been 140th place in men’s track. The males also prevented the women from advancing to regional meets, taking away an opportunity for the women to compete in front of college scouts, she said.
“Title IX established a fair and equal chance for women and girls to compete, and sports should be no exception,” said Senator Loeffler. “As someone who learned invaluable life lessons and built confidence playing sports throughout my life, I’m proud to lead this legislation to ensure girls of all ages can enjoy those same opportunities. This commonsense bill protects women and girls by safeguarding fairness and leveling the athletic field that Title IX guarantees.”
“Maintaining the integrity of healthy competition is crucial for the future of women and girls in sports,” said Senator Blackburn. “Schools and universities that allow males to participate in women’s sports defeats the purpose of Title IX.”