Transgender sports legislation moves forward in Ga. House

Georgia House speaker unveils a bill that would prohibit transgender girls and women from competing on sports teams designated for girls and women.
Published: Feb. 21, 2025 at 7:08 PM EST
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ATLANTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - The Riley Gaines Act, a priority of Georgia House Speaker Jon Burns, ed out of the Georgia House Education Committee on Friday.

The measure, House Bill 267, would prevent biological males from competing against biological females in girls’ sports at every level throughout Georgia.

“ of the House took another important step toward protecting integrity and fairness for female athletes across the state,” said Burns, R-Newington. “This issue is simple — men don’t belong in women’s sports or spaces, and the Riley Gaines Act will ensure that every young woman has an opportunity to compete on a level playing field here in Georgia. I want to thank Riley Gaines for sharing her story, and for continuing to work alongside the House to champion this legislation.”

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Under the Riley Gaines Act, biological males would be prohibited from competing on sports teams designated for girls and women at every level, separate changing facilities, bathrooms and/or locker rooms would be required for athletic events, athletic scholarships designated for women could not be awarded to biological males and private schools that compete against public schools would be required to adhere to the standards set forth in the bill.

During her testimony before the House Education Committee, Riley Gaines, the former female swimmer who was forced to compete against a biological male in the NCAA swimming championship, said, “I urge you all to the Riley Gaines Act and stand with over five million women and girls in Georgia.”

To view the full text of HB 267, please visit the following link: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/69927.