When legislators began hearing reports of men competing in girls’ sports, 27 states responded by passing laws effectively stating, “Not on my watch.” These laws aimed to preserve equal opportunities for female athletes and prevent them from being sidelined in their own sports.

However, a federal bill known as the Protect College Sports Act, now moving through Congress, has raised concerns. Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) warns that despite the bill’s intent, it could undermine these 27 state laws designed to keep men out of women’s sports.

ADF has been actively involved in this issue for nearly a decade. They supported Selina Soule and her Connecticut teammates, who were forced to compete against males and witnessed 15 girls’ state titles awarded to male competitors. The organization also celebrated when former President Donald Trump signed an executive order recognizing the biological distinction between male and female athletes and directing the federal government to exclude men from women’s sports.

In West Virginia, one male athlete displaced over 470 girls more than 1,400 times, including winning a state championship, highlighting the impact of such policies.

ADF emphasizes that until Congress passes legislation protecting women’s sports nationwide, it should ensure that no federal law undermines the 27 states that have acted and that advocates for women’s sports remain free to encourage other states to follow suit.

Sources