RICHMOND, Va. (WSET) — Virginia lawmakers are advocating for the Women’s Sports Act, a bill they argue is essential to enhance the safety and opportunities for female athletes.

The proposed legislation would mandate a physician’s confirmation of a student’s biological sex for participation in sports, effectively barring athletes born male from competing on female sports teams.

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Attorney General Jason Miyares emphasized the importance of the bill, stating it is crucial to restore fairness in women’s sports. Governor Glenn Youngkin echoed this sentiment, arguing that allowing biological males to compete with women sends the wrong message to women across the commonwealth.

“When we say you work as hard as you possibly can, you give everything you’ve got. You take advantage of those God-given natural abilities and yet we are going to deprive you of what you have earned, that is just wrong,” Youngkin said.

Riley Gaines, a collegiate swimmer and women’s sports advocate, also voiced her support for the bill. Gaines pledged to work tirelessly to ensure its passage, aiming to protect all women athletes.

“Women matter, I matter, these girls who stand behind on the steps behind us matter, they matter, your daughters, they matter,” Gaines said.

Miyares is urging the General Assembly to pass the bill in the current legislative session.

However, it will require bipartisan support, as Democrats control both the state Senate and House of Delegates.