- The Georgia General Assembly approved Senate Bill 1 (the "Riley Gaines Act of 2025"), banning biological males from participating in girls' sports and using female-designated facilities in schools and colleges.
- SB 1 requires athletes to compete based on their biological sex at birth and restricts access to restrooms, locker rooms and sleeping quarters accordingly.
- The bill references Riley Gaines, a former collegiate swimmer who opposed transgender athlete Lia Thomas competing in women's sports, arguing it was unfair.
- GOP leaders, including House Speaker Jon Burns and Lt. Governor Burt Jones, backed the bill, framing it as a measure to protect fairness in women's sports. The bill now awaits Governor Brian Kemp's expected signature.
- Similar laws have been enacted in over 25 states, including West Virginia, which also passed a "Riley Gaines Act" in March 2024.
The Georgia General Assembly has passed a controversial bill that would prohibit biological males from participating in girls' sports and using female-designated facilities in schools and colleges.
Senate Bill 1, dubbed the "Riley Gaines Act of 2025," mandates that student athletes compete on teams corresponding to their biological sex at birth. It also restricts access to restrooms, locker rooms and sleeping quarters based on biological sex rather than gender identity. (Related: World Athletics bans transgender athletes from competing in female category at international events.)
The Riley Gaines Act of 2025 is named after Riley Gaines, a former University of Kentucky swimmer who gained national attention after competing against Lia Thomas, a transgender swimmer at the University of Pennsylvania. Gaines and other athletes criticized policies allowing transgender women to compete in female sports and share locker rooms with cisgender women.
House Speaker Jon Burns (R-Newington) and Lt. Governor Burt Jones championed the bill, framing it as a measure to protect fairness in women's athletics.
"The General Assembly sent a clear message – biological men are not welcome in girls' sports or spaces here in Georgia," Burns declared after the vote, adding that the bill is about maintaining integrity and fairness for female athletes.
Jones echoed Burns' sentiments, calling the bill a "historic step" in safeguarding women's sports.
"I want to thank all of the brave women and girls who shared their personal stories and helped shape this legislation. Their courage is commendable and ensures that the rights of female athletes are preserved and protected by law. I look forward to standing with Governor Brian Kemp, Speaker Jon Burns and female athletes with their families around the state when the 'Riley Gaines Act of 2025' is signed into law."
The bill passed largely along party lines, and it now heads to Republican Gov. Brian Kemp, who is expected to sign it into law.
West Virginia passes the "Riley Gaines Act" into law
In March, another "Riley Gaines Act" became a law in West Virginia.
House Bill 456, the Riley Gaines Act, was signed by Gov. Patrick Morrisey. This bill solidifies the legal definitions of sex-based terms like "male" and "female" in state code and ensures protections for single-sex private spaces.
"Today we sent a strong message that West Virginia stands with women," Morrisey said. "West Virginia will not bow down to radical gender ideology; we are going to lead with common sense and the Riley Gaines Act does exactly that. Thank you to Riley, the Independent Women's Voice and the many women and girls around the country standing up for what is right."
At least 25 states, including Georgia and West Virginia, have passed similar laws prohibiting transgender athletes from competing on teams aligned with their gender identity since 2o2o.
Transhumanism.news has more stories about transgender athletes.
Watch this episode of "Flyover Conservatives" as hosts David and Stacy Whited are joined by attorney Theresa Lynn Sidebotham in a discussion on how allowing transgender athletes to compete against biological females is disregarding Title IX.
This video is from the Flyover Conservatives channel on Brighteon.com.
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