HARRISBURG – The Senate approved legislation that protects the integrity of women’s sports, Sen. Cris Dush (R-25) announced today.
The Fairness in Women’s Sports Act states that school athletic teams designated for women should not be open to those of the male sex. The bill defines “sex” as the biological distinction between male and female, based on reproductive biology and genetic make-up.
The bill was introduced earlier this year after concerns grew about preserving the increased athletic opportunities female students have gained over the past half century in this country.
Earlier Tuesday, advocates for women’s sports rallied in the Capitol with lawmakers and others to encourage passage of Senate Bill 1191 and companion legislation, House Bill 972. June 23 will mark the 50th anniversary of enactment of Title IX, which guaranteed girls and women equal access to scholastic sports.
“Just as we don’t allow 17 year old students to compete in peewee football there are physical and biological reasons we have not allowed men and boys to compete in women and girls sports.” Said Senator Dush. “The girls and women I’ve practiced with or coached in swimming worked hard to achieve their goals within an environment while allowing them to compete separately. Allowing a man or boy to make a declaration that someone arbitrarily decided would allow that male to dominate these women and girls is appalling.”
The bill will now advance to the House of Representatives for consideration.