The United States government has announced a new policy aimed at preserving women's sports by opposing male participation in female athletic categories. The policy, outlined in an order dated February 5, 2025, emphasizes fairness and safety for female athletes and aims to ensure equal opportunities as guaranteed under Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972.
The policy states that educational institutions receiving federal funds must not deny women an equal opportunity to participate in sports. It cites recent court decisions supporting this stance, including "Tennessee v. Cardona" and "Kansas v. U.S. Dept. of Education," which highlight Congress' intention to protect biological women in education.
The order mandates that the Secretary of Education, alongside the Attorney General, take action to uphold this policy by protecting all-female athletic opportunities and locker rooms. The Department of Justice is tasked with providing resources for enforcement against institutions failing to comply with these requirements.
Furthermore, the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy is directed to work with major athletic organizations and state attorneys general within 60 days to promote fair policies for female athletes. The Secretary of State will also engage internationally through diplomatic channels to advocate for sex-based sports categories.
This move reflects ongoing debates about gender identity and competitive fairness in sports, as some governing bodies allow transgender athletes under specific conditions such as testosterone reduction or self-identification documentation.
