Georgia Regents Seek NCAA, NJCAA Bans on Transgender Women in Women's Sports

The University System of Georgia Board of Regents, the governing body of the state's public universities and colleges, has taken a bold stance in the ongoing debate surrounding transgender athletes' participation in women's sports. The board has unanimously voted to send requests to the NCAA and the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), urging them to institute bans on transgender women competing in women's sports.

Protecting the Integrity of Women's Sports in Georgia

Aligning with NAIA Policies

The Board of Regents is asking the NCAA and NJCAA to comply with the policies of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), which voted in April to effectively ban transgender athletes from competing in women's sports at its 241 mostly smaller academic institutions. This move by the Georgia regents is a clear indication of their commitment to preserving the fairness and integrity of women's sports within the state's public university and college system.

Georgia's High School Sports Policies

The Georgia High School Association (GHSA) has also taken a stance on this issue, voting in 2022 to require students to compete in high school sports based on their gender at birth. This decision, coupled with the Board of Regents' request to the NCAA and NJCAA, suggests a broader effort within the state to address the concerns surrounding transgender athletes' participation in women's sports.

Competitive Disadvantages for Biological Female Athletes

The Board of Regents' resolution highlights the potential competitive disadvantages that biologically female student-athletes may face when competing against student-athletes who are biologically male or have undergone masculinizing hormone therapy. This concern is not unfounded, as evidenced by the controversy surrounding Lia Thomas, a transgender swimmer who competed in the NCAA swimming and diving championships at Georgia Tech in 2022.

Protecting the Achievements of Female Athletes

The Board of Regents' actions are a direct response to the experiences of former collegiate women swimmers, such as Riley Gaines, who testified before a Georgia Senate committee about the challenges they faced when competing against Lia Thomas. These athletes argued that their personal achievements and the hard work they had put into their sports were undermined by the participation of transgender women in women's events.

Revisiting Transgender Athlete Policies in Georgia

The Georgia General Assembly previously considered a bill to restrict transgender athletes from participating in school sports teams that align with their gender identity. While the legislation stopped short of a complete ban, it left the decision in the hands of the GHSA's executive committee, which ultimately moved forward with the ban two years ago.

Renewed Legislative Efforts

Now, Georgia Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, who oversees the state's Senate, has committed to introducing a bill during the next legislative session that would effectively ban transgender women from competing in sports at any of the state's public colleges. This renewed legislative effort underscores the ongoing debate and the desire to find a balance between inclusivity and fairness in women's sports.

Addressing Concerns and Protecting Female Athletes

The Board of Regents' request to the NCAA and NJCAA, as well as the potential legislative action, reflect the state's commitment to addressing the concerns raised by female athletes and their supporters. The goal is to ensure that the hard work and achievements of biologically female athletes are not undermined by the participation of transgender women in women's sports.