President Donald Trump is set to sign an executive order on Wednesday aimed at prohibiting biological men from competing in women’s sports at public institutions. This significant move coincides with National Girls and Women in Sports Day, a day dedicated to celebrating female athletes and advocating for equal access to sports for women.
The signing event will take place at the White House, where several advocates for women’s sports, including Independent Women’s Forum ambassadors such as Riley Gaines and Paula Scanlan, will be present. These advocates have been vocal about the importance of maintaining the integrity of women’s sports and ensuring that female athletes can compete fairly.
Gaines, a former collegiate swimmer who has spoken out against the inclusion of transgender athletes in women’s competitions, expressed her support for the executive order, highlighting her own experiences of competing against male athletes. She emphasized the need for protective measures in women’s sports, stating, "Who could have predicted back in 1987 when the day was created that we would be fighting to keep men out of women’s sports?"
The executive order is expected to reinforce existing Title IX protections, which have been a point of contention in recent years, particularly under the Biden administration. A federal judge recently blocked an attempt to redefine sex under Title IX to include gender identity, affirming the importance of biological sex in determining eligibility for women’s sports. Trump’s administration has signaled its commitment to upholding these protections.
This initiative is part of a broader political strategy for Trump, who has made fairness in women’s sports a key issue in his campaign. He has previously criticized the "transgender lunacy" and has pledged to support legislation that protects women’s sports at all levels. The Senate is expected to soon vote on the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, which aims to further solidify these protections.
As the executive order is poised to be signed, advocates are hopeful that it will mark a turning point in the ongoing debate surrounding transgender participation in sports, emphasizing the need to prioritize the rights and opportunities of female athletes. The move is seen as a significant step toward ensuring that women’s sports remain a space where biological females can compete without the challenges posed by male competitors.