In a move that further solidifies Texas's stance on transgender athletes in sports, Governor Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 15, also known as the "Save Women’s Sports Act," into law on Thursday. This legislation mandates that college athletes in Texas participate in sports according to their sex assigned at birth, as indicated on their birth certificates. This new law expands upon a 2021 law that implemented similar regulations for Texas public schools through the high school level.
During the signing ceremony in Austin, Governor Abbott emphasized the law's intent to protect female athletes, stating that it prevents men from competing against women in college sports. He also highlighted the aspirations of young girls dreaming of competing at the collegiate level.
The law, which takes effect no earlier than September 1, 2024, grants authority to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to establish rules for its implementation. These rules must adhere to state and federal regulations concerning the confidentiality of student medical records. Furthermore, the legislation includes provisions to protect individuals who report violations from retaliation.
This implies that Texas college students have legal recourse to sue their institutions if they believe the law has been violated. This new legislation adds Texas to the growing list of states enacting laws to regulate the participation of transgender athletes in sports.
The NCAA, which previously allowed transgender women to compete on women's teams, revised its policy last year, adopting a sport-by-sport approach to transgender athlete participation. The debate around this issue was amplified by the case of Lia Thomas, a transgender swimmer from the University of Pennsylvania, who won an NCAA national championship in 2022, sparking considerable controversy. Former Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines, a twelve-time All-American, has been a prominent voice against Thomas's participation and has advocated for separate competition categories based on biological sex. Both Gaines and Thomas continue to be active in the ongoing discussion surrounding transgender women in sports.
According to the Movement Advancement Project, with the addition of Texas, 22 states have now passed laws restricting transgender athletes from competing in sports consistent with their gender identity.
