Riley Gaines, a former NCAA champion swimmer, criticized the double standard in the reactions to the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, which was passed by House lawmakers without any Democratic votes.
Gaines responded to a tweet from Rep. Glenn Ivey, D-Md., who argued that the bill would lead to forced inspection of student-athletes, violating their personal dignity.
Gaines pointed out that checking birth certificates or conducting physical exams before competing should not be considered a violation of personal dignity.
In contrast, she argued that forcing girls to undress in front of biological males is an egregious violation of dignity.
Gaines emphasized that the issue should be bipartisan and pledged to stand with anyone committed to protecting girls and women in sports, regardless of their party affiliation.
The Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act passed with a 219-203 vote on Thursday, with all “yes” votes from Republicans and all “no” votes from Democrats.
Republicans defended the bill as an effort to protect women and girls from competing against transgender women and girls—biological males who could potentially dominate in sports and prevent female athletes from making the team.
However, some Democrats argued that the GOP bill is an extension of the bullying that transgender students already experience in school.
Republicans accused Democrats of taking transgender rights to an illogical extent that contradicts the intent of Title IX, which is credited with significantly expanding women’s sports participation.
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Rep. Greg Steube, R-Fla., who sponsored the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, said that Title IX was created to protect women’s sports and provide an equal playing field, but the administration’s focus on transgender rights undermines this goal.
Steube’s bill would prohibit educational institutions receiving Title IX funding from allowing a person whose sex is male to participate in athletic programs or activities designed for women or girls.
The bill defines the sex of an athlete solely by their “reproductive biology and genetics at birth.”
The bill now moves to the Senate, where Democratic leaders are unlikely to take it up, and President Biden has indicated he would veto the bill if it reached his desk.
