• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, July 2, 2025

U.S. House Passes Ban on Transgender Athletes in Women’s Sports

Republican lawmakers have made it clear that transgender rights issues, and specifically a ban on transgender athletes in women’s sports, would be a priority for them in 2025.

The United States Capitol during the certification of votes by Congress making Donald Trump president on Jan. 6, 2025.
Jack Gruber-Imagn Images

On Tuesday, the House of Representatives passed a bill that would effectively ban transgender athletes from participating in women’s sports. 

The three-page bill, called “The Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act,” would rewrite Title IX, the statute prohibiting all federally funded education institutions from discriminating “on the basis of sex”—and that has come to govern equity in sports participation opportunities. The bill would add language to the statute saying a school would be in violation of Title IX if it were to “permit a person whose sex is male to participate in an athletic program or activity that is designated for women,” adding that “sex” can be solely defined as “a person’s reproductive biology and genetics at birth.”

The vote was 218–206, with two Democrats voting yes and one voting present.

The Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, which would apply to all educational levels from kindergarten through college, goes further than multiple state proposals on the issue, which in many cases have focused solely on high school athletics. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, a Republican, vetoed a state bill that went this far in 2024. 

“The House has delivered on its promise to protect women’s sports,” Rep. Greg Steube (R., Fla.), who authored the bill, said Tuesday. “Denying biological truth erases fairness in sports and puts women’s safety and opportunities at risk. Today’s passage sends a clear message to the Senate—protecting women and girls in sports is not negotiable.” 

The bill will move to the Senate, where Republicans have a 53–47 majority. A fierce debate is expected in the Senate over the bill, which will likely need 60 votes to pass so that no Democrats can stop the bill with a filibuster. 

Republican lawmakers have made it clear that transgender rights issues, and specifically a ban on transgender athletes in women’s sports, would be a priority for them in 2025. Just two weeks ago, House Republicans fast-tracked the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act by making it one of 12 bills that the body must address in the first 100 days of the 119th Congress. It has previously been introduced multiple times and passed the House in 2023, but has failed to pass the Senate. President-elect Donald Trump has also pledged to enact a transgender sports ban through executive action if needed.

Even so, the issue is not widespread. NCAA president Charlie Baker has previously testified there are fewer than 10 transgender athletes currently competing out of 510,000 total athletes. 

Rep. Lori Trahan (D., Mass.) noted the bill could negatively impact cisgender athletes. “The legislation provides no guidance on how to enforce the ban, leaving the door open to requirements that girls ‘prove’ their gender when they are accused of not being girls,” she said. “The consequences of that approach will be devastating. Girls as young as four years old being subjected to invasive lines of questioning about their bodies and even physical inspections by an adult, a stranger, a predator? All because some creep accuses them of not being a girl.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

exclusive

WNBA Players Reject League’s First CBA Offer

Players felt the initial proposal wasn’t “entirely responsive” to their request.
Sophie Cunningham

WNBA Expansion Decisions Show League Prioritizes North, NBA Ties

One player ripped the league for its geographic choices.

Featured Today

The Battle Over Wimbledon’s Ambitious Expansion Plan

A classic NIMBY standoff on one of the most hallowed grounds in sports.
Seattle Rough & Tumble
June 28, 2025

Women’s Sports Bars Are on the Rise. Survival Isn’t Guaranteed

Some women’s sports bars are cashing in. Others are clawing for funding.
June 27, 2025

Shitposters Have Taken the Reins of Pro Sports’ Official Voices

Meet the social media pros turning sports teams into internet trolls.
Jun 17, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers center Sam Reinhart (13) hoists the Stanley Cup after winning game six of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers at Amerant Bank Arena
June 26, 2025

Stanley Cup’s International Summer Tour: Rules, Repairs, and Raucousness

No pro trophy tour compares to the NHL’s three-month global victory lap.

Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ Includes Huge Tax Hike for Pro Gamblers

It was not clear who lobbied for this provision to be included in the bill, or why.
Mexico
June 11, 2025

ICE Agents Could Show Up at Club World Cup, Gold Cup

The Gold Cup begins Saturday in Los Angeles with Mexico–Dominican Republic.
Angel City FC
June 16, 2025

Sports World Reacts to ICE Protests: ‘Immigrant City Football Club’

Angel City wore and distributed “Immigrant City Football Club” shirts Saturday.
Sponsored

Hottest Matchups Following NFL Schedule Release

The NFL released the 2025 regular-season schedule, and anticipation is already building in the ticket marketplace with four months to go.
Donald Trump
June 4, 2025

Trump Threatens California After Trans Athlete’s Track Wins

A trans athlete won two events at the recent state championships.
Jan 15, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph (2) talks with an official in the second half against the Buffalo Bills in a 2024 AFC wild card game at Highmark Stadium.
June 4, 2025

Steelers Email Fans After Mason Rudolph Appears at Friday Trump Rally

Rudolph was joined by a teammate and former Steeler Rocky Bleier.
Apr 28, 2025; Washington, D.C., USA; President Donald Trump welcomes players and staff of the Philadelphia Eagles to celebrate their Super Bowl victory at the White House Monday, April 28, 2025. Mandatory Credit: Josh Morgan-USA TODAY ORG XMIT: USAT-1280532 (Via OlyDrop)
May 30, 2025

Cycling, Fishing Brands Among 6 Small Businesses That Sued Over Trump Tariffs

An appeals court allowed Trump tariffs to continue—for now.
Former President Donald Trump leads a campaign rally at Mullett Arena at Arizona State University in Tempe on Oct. 24, 2024.
May 23, 2025

Sports Owner Tax Perk in Crosshairs As Bill Moves Forward

The provision would eliminate certain tax breaks for pro sports owners.