In North Carolina , I am proud to have been the primary sponsor of House Bill 574 , the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act. Along with state Reps. Erin Pare, Kristin Baker, and Karl Gillespie, we filed this common sense bill to protect the safety and opportunities of female athletes in our state.

Specifically, the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act requires students from middle school through community college and university athletics to play on sports teams that align with their sex.

Sadly, this is an issue that had to be addressed — not just in North Carolina, but across the country.

In 2022, North Carolina high school athlete Payton McNabb was knocked unconscious after suffering a severe head injury from a spike by a biological male during a volleyball game. The injury has caused serious long-term physical and mental effects, including impaired vision, partial paralysis on her right side, anxiety, and depression.

Another unfortunate example is former University of Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines, who was forced to compete against a transgender athlete who, for several years prior, had competed on a men’s team, during the 2022 NCAA championships.

In April, I was proud to stand with both of these brave women when they visited the General Assembly to join us in advocating the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act.

As an athlete who played multiple sports in high school, I know firsthand how hard it is to compete in sports. My question is this: How many more girls must be harmed in some way because of a biological male playing their sport?

The Fairness in Women’s Sports Act not only protects women and girls from injury — it also protects them where they are perhaps more vulnerable: the locker room. This bill protects their dignity.

Most North Carolinians agree: seven out of 10 oppose biological males playing on female sports teams, a recent poll found. Nationwide, the ratio is the same.

This legislation has been mirrored by international governing bodies, including World Aquatics (swimming), the World Athletics Council (track and field), and World Rugby. Women deserve better, and I am proud that North Carolina took a stand to not be on the wrong side of history and science.

I am grateful for my colleagues in the state House and Senate who not only passed this important bill but voted to override our Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto with bipartisan support, making it the law of the land.

This law is about fairness to women and fair competition in women’s sports. What’s fair about a bigger, stronger, and faster biological male athlete competing against girls?

In the Tarheel State, the Republican-led General Assembly is fighting for common sense, fairness, and safety. Now, thanks to these efforts, our daughters, sisters, and friends will be able to enjoy the freedom to play in safe and fair competition.

Jennifer Balkcom is a member of the North Carolina House of Representatives.