Latest news with #RileyGainesActof2025
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signed anti-trans student-athlete bill
Republican Gov. Brian Kemp signed legislation banning transgender girls and women student-athletes from competing in sports aligned with their gender identity last month. The bill also called for bathrooms, changing and showering facilities, and dormitories to be segregated by a person's sex assigned at birth. Senate Bill 1, officially entitled the Riley Gaines Act of 2025, is named after the cisgender woman swimmer, a competitor of transgender woman swimmer Lia Thomas at Penn State. Gaines now advocates polices aimed at banning transgender girls and women from playing in sports aligned with their gender identity, often misgendering trans women in her talks and making transphobic remarks. Related: Massachusetts Republican tries to ban trans athletes The new law applies to 'teams operated or sponsored by local school systems, public schools, participating private schools, and postsecondary educational institutions in this state.' It bans trans girls and women from competing in girls' and women's sports teams, and relegates them to changing, bathing, sleeping, and bathroom facilities aligned with their sex assigned at birth. 'As the parents of three daughters, Marty and I know just how important it is to keep our children safe and to give them the best possible start in life," Kemp said in a press release. "That's why I'm proud to sign these bills that will further safeguard our classrooms, both from those with violent intentions and from out-of-touch political agendas. Girls should not have to share a playing field, a restroom, or a locker room with boys and vice versa, and the commonsense legislation I signed today is about what is fair and safe for our children.' Related: House passes bill banning trans women and girls from school sports Critics disagreed with Kemp, painting the bill as discriminatory and dangerous for trans youth. Bentley Hudgins, the state director of the Human Rights Campaign, was unsparing in her criticisms of Republicans. 'Instead of addressing the real problems young women and girls face on the playing field, they chose to bully trans kids and put all girls in harm's way,' they told the Georgia Recorder. 'Their absurd attacks on kids are tired and don't help anyone. While Republicans play political games and bully transgender children, they cannot and will not steal our joy.'
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Georgia governor expected to sign 'Riley Gaines Act,' which bans trans athletes from entering girls' sports
The Georgia legislature passed a bill Monday along mostly party lines to prohibit transgender girls – or biological males – from participating in girls' sports. S.B. 1, also known as the "Riley Gaines Act of 2025," requires middle school, high school and college student athletes to compete on sports teams that align with their biological sex. Restrooms, locker rooms and sleeping quarters will also be restricted to only allow biological boys in the spaces designated for boys and biological girls in the spaces designated for girls. Georgia House Passes 'Riley Gaines Act' That Aims To Prohibit Trans Athletes From Competing In Female Sports The bill now heads to Republican Gov. Brian Kemp's desk, and he is expected to sign the legislation. The measure was a priority for House Speaker Jon Burns and Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, both of whom are Republicans. "The General Assembly sent a clear message—biological men are not welcome in girls' sports or spaces here in Georgia," Burns said, according to Fox 5 Atlanta. Read On The Fox News App Jones said the General Assembly "made a historic step toward achieving a critical goal for this session, the protection of women's sports," according to the outlet. "I want to thank all of the brave women and girls who shared their personal stories and helped shape this legislation," Jones continued. "Their courage is commendable and ensures that the rights of female athletes are preserved and protected by law. I look forward to standing with Gov. 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 is named after Riley Gaines, a former collegiate swimmer who was put into the public spotlight when she criticized the participation of biological males in girls' sports after she competed against Lia Thomas, a transgender swimmer who Gaines and other female athletes were forced to share a locker room with. Controversial Transgender Swimmer Lia Thomas Vows To Fight Trans Athlete Bans Amid National Shift On Issue "Such a tremendous honor. There are few causes more worthy than protecting opportunities for the next generation," Gaines wrote on X after the bill passed the Georgia House and Senate on Monday. More than 25 other states already prohibit biological males from participating in girls' sports. The measure was passed on Transgender Day of Visibility, in which transgender people and their supporters march and hold community gatherings and rallies against legislation targeting LGBTQ+ article source: Georgia governor expected to sign 'Riley Gaines Act,' which bans trans athletes from entering girls' sports
Fox News
01-04-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Georgia governor expected to sign 'Riley Gaines Act,' which bans trans athletes from entering girls' sports
The Georgia legislature passed a bill Monday along mostly party lines to prohibit transgender girls – or biological males – from participating in girls' sports. S.B. 1, also known as the "Riley Gaines Act of 2025," requires middle school, high school and college student athletes to compete on sports teams that align with their biological sex. Restrooms, locker rooms and sleeping quarters will also be restricted to only allow biological boys in the spaces designated for boys and biological girls in the spaces designated for girls. The bill now heads to Republican Gov. Brian Kemp's desk, and he is expected to sign the legislation. The measure was a priority for House Speaker Jon Burns and Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, both of whom are Republicans. "The General Assembly sent a clear message—biological men are not welcome in girls' sports or spaces here in Georgia," Burns said, according to Fox 5 Atlanta. Jones said the General Assembly "made a historic step toward achieving a critical goal for this session, the protection of women's sports," according to the outlet. "I want to thank all of the brave women and girls who shared their personal stories and helped shape this legislation," Jones continued. "Their courage is commendable and ensures that the rights of female athletes are preserved and protected by law. I look forward to standing with Gov. 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 is named after Riley Gaines, a former collegiate swimmer who was put into the public spotlight when she criticized the participation of biological males in girls' sports after she competed against Lia Thomas, a transgender swimmer who Gaines and other female athletes were forced to share a locker room with. "Such a tremendous honor. There are few causes more worthy than protecting opportunities for the next generation," Gaines wrote on X after the bill passed the Georgia House and Senate on Monday. More than 25 other states already prohibit biological males from participating in girls' sports. The measure was passed on Transgender Day of Visibility, in which transgender people and their supporters march and hold community gatherings and rallies against legislation targeting LGBTQ+ people.
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Georgia General Assembly passes bill banning trans athletes from women's sports
The Brief The Georgia General Assembly passed Senate Bill 1, the "Riley Gaines Act of 2025," which bans biological males from participating in women's sports in Georgia. House Speaker Jon Burns and Lt. Governor Burt Jones say the bill protects the integrity and fairness of female athletic competitions. Lt. Governor Jones praised the women and girls who contributed their stories to shape the legislation. The legislation is named after Riley Gaines, who has been very vocal after competing against and sharing a locker room with transgender athlete Lia Thomas. ATLANTA - In a significant legislative move, the Georgia General Assembly has passed Senate Bill 1, known as the "Riley Gaines Act of 2025." This bill, a priority for House Speaker Jon Burns (R-Newington) and Lt. Governor Burt Jones, aims to ban biological males from participating in women's sports across the state. It passed on the same day as people across the country celebrated Trans Day of Visibility. What we know Burns expressed his support for the bill, stating, "The General Assembly sent a clear message—biological men are not welcome in girls' sports or spaces here in Georgia." He went on to say this is about maintaining integrity and fairness for female athletes and thanked the Senate and Riley Gaines for their support in championing this cause. "Today, the Georgia General Assembly made a historic step toward achieving a critical goal for this session, the protection of women's sports," said Lt. Governor Burt Jones. "I want to thank all of the brave women and girls who shared their personal stories and helped shaped 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." Dig deeper The Riley Gaines Act is named after Riley Gaines, a former collegiate swimmer who has publicly opposed transgender participation in women's sports after competing against and sharing a locker room with transgender swimmer Lia Thomas. Senate Bill 1 is based on findings from the Senate Special Committee on the Protection of Women's Sports, created by Lt. Governor Jones. With its enactment, Georgia would join 26 other states barring trans athletes from girls' and women's sports. For more details on Senate Bill 1, visit the Georgia General Assembly's website. Every year on March 31, people celebrate International Transgender Day of Visibility with marches, community gatherings, educational forums, and rallies against anti-LGBTQ+ legislation. It was founded in 2009 by trans activist Rachel Crandall-Crocker as the joyous alternative to Transgender Day of Remembrance, a solemn day that honors victims of anti-transgender violence. These days, International Transgender Day of Visibility serves as a platform for highlighting transgender professionals, artists, educators, and activists who are making an impact in their communities. The Source The Georgia General Assembly announced the passage of Senate Bill 1 on March 31, 2025.
