Representative John McGuire of Virginia’s 5th Congressional District has introduced the Riley Gaines Act, a bill designed to address concerns about female athletes competing against biological male athletes in collegiate sports. The legislation was developed in collaboration with Riley Gaines, an advocate for women’s sports.
McGuire stated, “If a man assaults a woman on the street, he goes to jail. But if a man pretending to be a woman beats up a female in a boxing ring, he’s given a medal. This insanity has got to end. Female athletes deserve to feel safe and protected in the sports they love. Instead they are at risk of serious injury and losing scholarships and professional opportunities due to the unfair advantage created by competing against a male in a female sport. The Riley Gaines Act puts protections in place, so the schools and athletic associations that allow males to compete in female sports are held accountable for their dangerous and reckless actions. Riley Gaines is a trailblazer in the movement to protect female athletes and is the inspiration behind this bill. It has been an honor working with her on this legislation. I am hoping common sense will prevail and we will keep our daughters safe while they achieve their competitive goals. Together, we will protect our female athletes.”
Riley Gaines commented on the purpose of the act: “The Riley Gaines Act is about one thing: accountability. If colleges and athletic associations knowingly or recklessly put women in harm’s way, they shouldn’t be shielded from the consequences. When a female athlete loses a scholarship, a roster spot, or suffers a physical injury because institutions ignored biological reality, there must be a path to justice. This bill doesn’t target individuals. It holds powerful institutions responsible for the policies they choose to enforce. Women deserve fairness, safety, and equal opportunity. And if those rights are violated, they deserve their day in court.”
According to information provided about the bill’s background, it establishes civil actions against higher education institutions and athletic associations that negligently or recklessly permit biological male athletes to participate in competitions designated for females when such participation results in harm to female athletes. The legislation allows affected female athletes to seek legal recourse for physical injuries or other damages such as lost scholarships or professional opportunities; prevailing plaintiffs would also be entitled to reasonable attorney’s fees.
Supporters argue that Title IX was originally intended to expand rather than limit opportunities for women and that this measure aims to restore fairness while ensuring consequences when women’s sports are compromised.
A copy of the bill’s text is available online.
