ATLANTA, GA — Today, Independent Women’s Voice, Frontline Policy Action, and Independent Council on Women’s Sports are thrilled to celebrate the introduction of The Riley Gaines Act and the Senate companion, the Fair and Safe Athletic Opportunities Act. The legislation would fortify the definitions of male and female terms in law and safeguard the existence of single-sex spaces and opportunities—including athletics, living facilities, locker rooms, domestic violence shelters, rape crisis centers, restrooms, and other areas where biology, safety, or privacy are implicated.
If passed by the legislature and signed into law, the legislation would:
- Define common sex-based terms, such as ‘female’ and ‘male,’ ‘woman’ and ‘man’;
- Protect single-sex spaces; and,
- Protect women’s sports for female athletes, including all collegiate athletes.
Riley Gaines, an ambassador for Independent Women, recently appeared as a special keynote speaker at Frontline Policy’s Run2Win Conference to mobilize leaders to take swift action to define and codify sex-based terms in Georgia law and protect collegiate athletes.
“I am honored to support such important legislation. It was only a few years ago that I was sidelined after tying a male at the NCAA Women’s Championships in the Georgia Tech pool and forced to undress before him in the women’s locker room. The Riley Gaines Act and the Fair and Safe Athletic Opportunities Act ensure that what happened to me and my teammates will never happen to another female athlete in Georgia again,” said Riley Gaines, ambassador for Independent Women and plaintiff in Gaines et al v NCAA et al. “The Georgia legislature is right to prioritize defining sex and protecting women’s sports and spaces. When they codify these definitions and protect female athletic opportunities, their leadership will be recognized for decades to come. I look forward to the legislature taking this up quickly and sending a bill to Governor Kemp’s desk.”
The bills follow President Donald Trump delivering on his campaign promise to stand with women by issuing a day-one Executive Order to define male and female terms. Trump’s sex-definition executive order is a nationwide victory for women and girls, preserving the legal existence of women as distinct from men.
In addition, a Federal District Court in Kentucky recently issued a decision in Tennessee v. Cardona that struck down the Biden administration’s unlawful attempt to redefine ‘sex’ in Title IX to include ‘gender identity.’ Georgia was among the states that joined the lawsuit in Tennessee v. Cardona, led by Independent Women’s Law Center, showcasing the state’s dedication to protecting women and girls. The Court’s ruling applies nationwide, a major win for women and girls across the country.
Independent Council on Women’s Sports (ICONS) also has filed a first-of-its-kind female athlete lawsuit against the NCAA and Georgia Tech (Gaines et al v NCAA et al). This landmark lawsuit features 19 female athlete plaintiffs suing the NCAA for violating Title IX. With exclusive funding support from ICONS, the lawsuit will hold the NCAA accountable for giving away female athletes’ rights to equal opportunity.
“Stand With Women” champions in the new Congress have also passed federal legislation in the U.S. House with bipartisan support to protect women’s-only sports, further showcasing the national momentum on this issue.
The Riley Gaines Act and the Fair and Safe Athletic Opportunities Act in Georgia represent a wave of pro-woman policies set to take place across the country.
“Independent Women have been at the forefront of the fight to define ‘sex’ and prevent the erasure of women’s spaces and sports. We are thrilled to have partnered with Riley Gaines and such a strong coalition of groups to champion Georgia’s effort to codify male and female terms. These critical bills will finally safeguard the opportunities so many women are losing at the hands of gender ideology extremists,” said Beth Parlato, Senior Legal Advisor for Independent Women.
“At Frontline, we are proud to have played a pivotal role in drafting and advocating for The Riley Gaines Act and the Fair and Safe Athletic Opportunities Act (SB 1). Our efforts have helped shape the strong language in these bills, and we are encouraged to see Georgia take a bold stand in the safety of women’s spaces and protecting the integrity of women’s sports. This legislation is a step forward in ensuring that Title IX protections are further protected and solidified, safeguarding the rights of female athletes in Georgia and beyond. We commend the Georgia legislature for their leadership and look forward to seeing this legislation passed, providing a lasting framework to protect the opportunities and dignity of women and girls in this state.” said Chelsea Thompson, General Counsel, Frontline Policy Council and Frontline Policy Action.
“ICONS is proud to support these two excellent Georgia bills. Laws with clear language are essential to protecting the rights, dignity, and opportunities of women and girls. As Riley and hundreds of other women experienced firsthand during the NCAA Swim Championships in Georgia, no young woman should have to share locker rooms with men or lose to men in women’s competitions. These bills ensure that what happened to Riley will not happen to more young women in Georgia,” said Kim Jones, co-founder of the Independent Council on Women’s Sports (ICONS).
###
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.
Frontline Policy is Georgia’s leading voice for pro-family and pro-life advocacy, committed to upholding and advancing values that strengthen families and respect life at every stage.
ICONS is a network and advocacy group comprised of current and former collegiate and professional women athletes and their families and supporters.