Republican governors sent a letter Monday to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), arguing the governing body should prioritize fairness on the matter of transgender athlete participation in collegiate sports.
The letter, sent to the Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports, was signed by Govs. Kristi Noem of South Dakota, Sarah Sanders of Arkansas, Tate Reeves of Mississippi, Mike Parson of Missouri, Greg Gianforte of Montana, Joe Lombardo of Nevada, Kevin Stitt of Oklahoma, Greg Abbott of Texas and Mark Gordon of Wyoming.
“We strongly encourage you to rewrite your Transgender Student Athlete Policy to protect, preserve, and encourage fairness in women’s athletics.” (RELATED: Female Students Sue Sorority For Admitting Biological Male Who Allegedly Gets Aroused Watching Women Undress)
The NCAA’s policy on transgender athlete participation requires that athletes comply with the standards of a specific sport’s governing body, which may include testosterone level requirements.
“[T]his policy allows the NCAA to avoid responsibility for ensuring the fairness of collegiate sports — therefore it must be changed,” the letter reads.
Only girls should play in girls’ sports.
I led a letter of 8 GOP Govs urging the @NCAA to rewrite its Transgender Student Athlete Policy.
This policy allows the NCAA to avoid responsibility for ensuring the fairness of collegiate sports — it must be changed. pic.twitter.com/oNs33id024
— Kristi Noem (@KristiNoem) October 30, 2023
University of Kentucky former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines competed against transgender Lia Thomas on the women’s team at University of Pennsylvania, tying for fifth place in the 200-yard freestyle in 2022. Thomas beat out the female competitors by 1.75 seconds during the NCAA championships in March 2022. Thomas was ranked #462 while competing on the male team, but rose to #1 on the women’s.
“The NCAA has the opportunity to guarantee a fair environment for women’s sports,” the governors continue in the letter. “If you take this opportunity, it will expand the possibilities for so many young women for years to come.”
World Athletics voted to exclude biological males from female competitions as of March 31, 2023, citing “fairness and integrity.”