WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Independent Women’s Voice (IWV) and Independent Women’s Law Center (IWLC) applaud the passage of H.R. 734, The Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act in the U.S. House of Representatives. IWV Spokeswoman Riley Gaines today joined U.S. Speaker Kevin McCarthy and Members of Congress in celebrating this major step forward in preserving equal athletic opportunity for both sexes.

“The number of female athletes who have been denied opportunities, traumatized, or hurt by policies that claim to promote ‘inclusion’ is growing at an alarming rate. This is simply unacceptable, and the integrity of women’s sports is eroding. I’m grateful to House Speaker Kevin McCarthy for his outstanding leadership on this critical issue and commitment to fight for fairness, privacy, and safety for girls and women in sports, and applaud all 219 House Republicans who voted to stand for women.” said Riley Gaines, Independent Women’s Voice Spokeswoman and 12x NCAA All-American Swimmer. In support of The Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, Gaines sent this letter to Speaker McCarthy.

The Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, sponsored by U.S. Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.), amends Title IX to strengthen protections for female athletes and make clear that allowing biological males to take awards, roster spots, scholarships, or spots at a school from female athletes is discriminatory and illegal. Independent Women’s Voice and Independent Women’s Law Center have worked closely with Rep. Steube on this critical policy measure.

“Allowing biological males to take awards, roster spots, scholarships, or spots at a school from female athletes violates Title IX’s prohibition of discrimination on the basis of sex,” said Jennifer Braceras, Independent Women’s Law Center Director, Independent Women’s Forum. “This bill makes that explicitly clear and puts athletic organizations, athletic directors, and bureaucrats at the Department of Education on notice that they may not adopt policies that promote ‘inclusion’ on the backs of women.”

“Many on the Left not only encourage transgender individuals to invade women’s sports, but celebratewhen women are knocked off podiums or shunned to the sidelines. That’s why there is overwhelming support for my bill, The Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act. Allowing biological males to participate in women’s sports is a complete affront to the hardworking women and girls who have spent their lives training to achieve their dreams. It’s simple: biological males have no place in women’s sports. This legislation ensures female athletes have the opportunity to compete on a level playing field as Title IX intended—without the obvious disadvantage of competing against biological males,” said U.S. Rep. Greg Steube (R-Fla.).

Click here to view the letter, written by Independent Women’s Law Center and Independent Women’s Voice, in support of The Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act. In part, the letter states: “More than 50 years ago, Congress enacted Title IX to ensure equal opportunity in all aspects of education, including athletics. But without single-sex teams and single-sex competition, equal athletic opportunity is but a farce.”

###
www.iwv.org 
Independent Women’s Voice fights for women by expanding support for policy solutions that aren’t just well intended, but actually enhance freedom, opportunities, and well-being.
Independent Women’s Law Center fights for equal opportunity, due process of law, and the continued legal relevance of biological sex.