HARRISBURG – A group of female Republican senators introduced legislation – the Save Women’s Sports Act – barring men from competing in women’s sports and ensuring that women’s athletics are protected.

Sens. Judy Ward (R-30), Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-28), Lisa Baker (R-20), Michele Brooks (R-50), Camera Bartolotta (R-46), Tracy Pennycuick (R-24), Rosemary Brown (R-40), Lynda Schlegel Culver (R-27), Dawn Keefer (R-31) and President Pro Tempore Kim Ward (R-39) introduced legislation – Senate Bill 9 – to ensure that school athletic teams designated for women are exclusively for biological females. By maintaining separate, sex-specific teams, the bill protects athletic opportunities for women while upholding the intent of Title IX, which was established to eliminate discrimination and ensure equal access to sports for female athletes.

“Today we are sadly seeing the landmark protections that Title IX initially provided to women being eroded by unelected bureaucrats, as men claiming to be women unfairly compete in women’s sports,” said Judy Ward. “The physiological advantages that men possess are clear and unquestionable, and the inclusion of men in women’s sports has come at the expense of opportunity for so many women. We must stand up and defend the protections clearly outlined in Title IX and the rights that women fought so hard for. I am proud to join my colleagues here in the Senate to save women’s sports!”

“The integrity of women’s sports is under attack, and without action, female athletes will pay the price,” Phillips-Hill said. “Women have fought too hard for a fair playing field to see that progress erased. Sports build character, create opportunities, and shape futures. We must act now to protect these opportunities and ensure fairness for the next generation.” 

“Today is a great day for female athletes across Pennsylvania as republican senators reintroduce the ‘Save Women’s Sports Act’,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward. “As women athletes across our Commonwealth have broken glass ceilings, their efforts to take girls sports to the next level will not be derailed by men competing as women in sports. We stand alongside women athletes to fight for their right for fair competition.”

In recent years, there has been an increasing intrusion of men into women’s sports, resulting in the loss of scholarships, podium placements, and precious opportunity for young girls nationwide. For example, Lia Thomas infamously won gold in the 2022 NCAA swimming championship, stealing the gold from the female swimmers who had sacrificed years of their lives for such an opportunity. Since 2020 in Pennsylvania, female athletes have lost medals or placements 66 times across track, swimming, fencing, and more.

“It is our responsibility to ensure that young women and girls have access to fair competition and equal opportunities. This is not just a matter of safety – it’s about preserving the integrity of female athletics and ensuring biological females have the chance to earn scholarships, win championships and pursue their dreams at the highest levels, including the Olympics,” said Brooks. “Protecting the safety and future of female athletes isn’t just about fairness but standing up for what’s right for the next generation.”

“This legislation protects common-sense values,” said Bartolotta. “We need to stick up for our girls by protecting athletic opportunities, fairness, and safety in competition.”

Unfortunately, female athletes have also been seriously injured because of these male athletes’ participation. A North Carolina volleyball player, Payton McNabb, suffered significant injury after a male opponent spiked a ball that hit her face, resulting in neurological impairments including a concussion, vision problems, and partial paralysis to the right side of her body. In Massachusetts, a high school field hockey match had to be paused after a male shot a ball that knocked out the teeth of a girl on the other team and required hospitalization. 

“As a mom of now grown women, I know the importance playing sports had in their young lives,” Pennycuick said. “Women competing in sports learn leadership skills, grit, and improve their physical as well as their mental health. Let’s keep the playing field even for our girls.”

“It’s important to remember that every valid competition begins with a level playing field, ensuring that the competition and results are accurate and fair,” Brown said. “This legislation is about safeguarding that accuracy and fairness as it directly relates to women’s sports. As a former college athlete, I value my competitive experiences, which were positive in developing my hard work and confidence. I want to ensure that female athletes always have these fair and positive opportunities.”

Male domination in women’s athletics isn’t surprising given the numerous physiological advantages that men possess. Males have larger, stronger, faster, and more powerful skeletal muscles, greater glycolytic capacity, and larger hearts and lungs, which results in greater VO²max and cardiac output. As a result of these advantages, males typically outperform females in athletics relying on speed and/or power by 10%-30%.

“I believe it’s important to ensure that all athletes have the opportunity to compete fairly and safely,” said Culver. “This bill aims to address the complexities surrounding participation in women’s sports, and I look forward to further discussion and collaboration on this important issue.”

The legislation is currently in the Senate Education Committee.  Upon passage in the Senate, like it did in the 2021/2022 session as Senate Bill 1191, it would move to the House for their consideration.

Ward contact: Nathan Akers
717-787-2421