California Assemblymember Kate Sanchez (R) introduced a bill prohibiting biological men from competing in girls’ sports.
AB 89, the Protect Girls’ Sports Act, would force the California Interscholastic Federation to “amend its constitution, bylaws, and policies to prohibit a pupil whose sex was assigned male at birth from participating on a girls’ interscholastic sports team.”
“Women’s sports have long been a symbol of dedication, perseverance, dedication, and opportunity. As a former high school athlete, I know this is a space where young women can compete fairly, achieve their dreams, and showcase their talents,” Sanchez said in a statement. “But today, that fairness is being stripped away. When biological men are allowed to compete with women in women’s sports, it creates an unfair playing field.”
“Young women who had spent years training, sacrificing and earning their place to compete at the highest level are now being forced to compete against individuals with undeniable biological advantages,” she said. “It’s not just unfair. It’s disheartening and dangerous.”
“For girls, this is about more than competition. It’s about safety. Whether in contact sports, locker rooms, or shared spaces, these policies place our daughters at risk. We cannot ignore the physical and emotional toll that this takes. I will always advocate for fairness, opportunity, and protection of women and girls in sports. It’s time to restore integrity back to women’s athletics and ensure that every young woman has a fair and safe chance to compete.”
Earlier this week, Republican senators refiled similar legislation.
The Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act would amend Title IX to prohibit schools from allowing transgender athletes to participate in athletic activities intended for biological females.
The bill defines sex as “based solely on a person’s reproductive biology and genetics at birth.”
