Bill to Ban Biological Males From Competing in Women’s Sports Introduced

In an announcement Monday, Assemblywoman Kate Sanchez (R-Trabuco Canyon) said she will be challenging California’s 11 year old law allowing transgender athletes to participate in school programs and athletics based on their gender identity by preventing biological males from competing in women’s sports through a new bill.

The transgender sports controversy in California dates back to 2013, when AB 1266 was signed into law by then Governor Jerry Brown. AB 1266 requires that “a pupil be permitted to participate in sex-segregated school programs and activities, including athletic teams and competitions, and use facilities consistent with his or her gender identity, irrespective of the gender listed on the pupil’s records.”

Since then, the law has been polarizing in California. While LGBT advocates have said that this has brought fairness to the system, those in athletics, education and the general public have been opposed to it, stating that the law is not only an unfair advantage, but creates safety issues for female athletes. Each year multiple lawsuits have been filed in California over the law: transgender athletes have filed discrimination suits, and schools and coaches have filed suits challenging the law however they can because of the uneven playing field it created.

“Here’s how it usually goes under the current law,” said Miguel Pena, a high school coach, to the Globe on Tuesday. “So for transgender girls identifying as boys, it really isn’t an issue. We have girls tryout for men’s’ sports now and then, especially in sports like football. Some even make it as kickers and things on otherwise men’s’ teams. Biologically, they are at a muscle and strength disadvantage, even if they transition or identify as male. So if they make it, well, they are really a good athlete then. Women trying for men’s’ teams isn’t an issue and, in fact, is pretty inspiring if they make the cut.

“But for boys competing on girls’ teams, that is when we have a problem. Men are, biologically, stronger, have more defined muscles. On average of course. But what this law did was suddenly have men saying they were transgender or identifying as women competing on their teams. We have had a lot of wrestling teams suddenly have huge players who now identify as women dominating women’s’ wrestling. Or swimming. Or other physical sports.

“Some schools have managed to get around this by saying that they didn’t make the cut during tryouts, but then some of those wound up as court cases. Right now, it is still the law in California and so many coaches and so many schools are just sick and tired of it. We all know it is unfair. And, honestly, we’ve been waiting for a law to stop it, at least for men trying to get into women’s sports.”

Currently, the states are split on the issue, with 25 states banning trans athletes from competing on their non-biological birth gender teams. The other 25, including California, allow it. This led to Monday when Assemblywoman Sanchez announced her Protect Girls’ Sports Act bill, which will prevent biological males from competing in women’s sports.

A new bill challenging AB 1266

In an announcement on X, Assemblywoman Sanchez said that “Women’s sports have long been a symbol of dedication, perseverance and opportunity. As a former high school athlete, I know this is a space where young women can compete fairly, achieve their dreams, and showcase their talent. But today, that fairness is being stripped away. When biological men are allowed to compete in women’s sports, it creates an unfair playing field. Young women who had spent years training, sacrificing and earing their place to compete at the highest level are now being forced to compete against individuals with undeniable biological advantages. It’s not just unfair. It’s disheartening and dangerous.

“For girls, this is about more than competition. It’s about safety. Whether its in contact sports, locker rooms, or shared spaces, these policies place our daughters at risk. We cannot ignore the physical and emotional toll that this takes. I will always advocate for fairness, opportunity, and protection of women and girls in sports. It’s time to restore integrity back to women’s athletics and ensure that every young woman has a fair and safe chance to compete.

“I’m hitting the ground running on day one of session by introducing the Protect Girls’ Sports Act. This bill will restore fair and safe conditions for girls’ sports by preventing biological males from competing.”

In addition to AB 1266, Sanchez’s proposed law would also override multiple state laws. This would include the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) bylaw that states “All students should have the opportunity to participate in CIF activities in a manner that is consistent with their gender identity, irrespective of the gender listed on a student’s records.”

While the bill is expected to have significant opposition, primarily from Democrats in the Assembly and Senate, none have yet to come forward to challenge the bill as of Tuesday. That is expected to change in the coming weeks once the bill is formally introduced.

“Look at all the legal fights and culture fights and media fights we have had about this,” added Pena. “There are a lot of loud people on this, and you can bet when a state law is coming up about this, they’ll come out against it.”