Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed the Save Women’s Sports Act on June 15, keeping men from competing in women’s intercollegiate sports.
The bill, SB 15, also stipulates that in mixed competition a biological male cannot take a position that is designated for female students.
Women competing in all school sports are now protected in the Lone Star State, as the legislature had passed a measure in 2021 protecting elementary through high school interscholastic sports. That bill also required students to compete based on biological sex, rather than “gender identity.”
Texas Values, a Focus on the Family ally that works for policies protecting life, marriage, family and religious freedom, applauded the bill’s passage, thanking the many groups that supported the Save Women’s Sports Act:
Thanks to all supporters of #SB15 #SaveWomensSports Gov. @GregAbbott_TX signed into law! @IWF @IWV @FaithandFreedom @family_policy @icons_women @PatriotMobile @texaseagleforum @approject @momsforamerica @Heritage @Heritage_Action @CAAPSorg @ADFLegal @CWforA @CWAofTX @TexasYRs pic.twitter.com/broNxMlsa9
— Texas Values (text txvalues to 797979 for update) (@txvalues) June 16, 2023
Mary Elizabeth Castle, Texas Values director of government relations, told The College Fix the legislation was “a huge victory for Texas women college athletes.”
She added:
The voices of the University of Texas alumni women college athletes who spoke out against Lia “Will” Thomas swimming in the women’s NCAA championship were heard and answered.
The laws in Texas to protect female sports from kindergarten to college simply ensure the fairness, safety and victory in sports that Title IX has promised for the past 50 years.
The governor explained the importance of the legislation, saying:
Today is an important day for female athletes across the state of Texas, including little girls who aspire to one day compete in college sports.
The Save Women’s Sports Act protects young women at Texas colleges and universities by prohibiting men from competing on a team or as an individual against them in college sports.
Sports have inspired many women to cast bold visions and dreams of what they want to achieve. The legacy of women’s sports will be safeguarded for generations to come. Women in Texas can be assured that the integrity of their sports will be protected in our state.
Riley Gaines, a 12-time NCAA All-American Swimmer, had testified in favor of Texas’ Save Women’s Sports Act in March 2023. Texas Values posted her testimony before the Senate Committee on State Affairs.
Gaines spoke about tying male swimmer Will Thomas, who identifies as a woman named Lia, for fifth place in the NCAA Women’s Championship 200-yard freestyle. She stood watching as Thomas was handed the trophy for “photo purposes.”
A spokeswoman for the Independent Women’s Forum, Gaines also explained what it was like when the 6’ 4” Thomas undressed and exposed himself “to a room full of vulnerable, undressed young women.”
Men who compete in women’s sports take opportunities, trophies, scholarships and positions from women, negating years of hard work and training. They also encroach on women’s privacy and safety in locker rooms, showers and restrooms.
Kudos to women athletes, like Gaines, who bravely speak out against this injustice, and to groups like Texas Values for championing their cause.
Related articles and resources:
Celebrate the Real NCAA Women’s 500-Freestyle Swimming Champions
Do ‘Gender Identity’ Laws Affect Me and My Family?
Female Athletes Ask NCAA for Fairness in Women’s Sports
Focus on the Family Broadcast, Part 1 and Part 2, with Rod Dreher, author of Live Not by Lies
Focus on the Family: Transgender Resources
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