The new legislation will require “public institution of higher education students who compete in intercollegiate athletic competitions to compete based on biological sex.”
Flanked by Independent Women’s Voice activists Riley Gaines and Paula Scanlan, Abbott said “We gather today at the Texas Women’s Hall of Fame, which was founded in 1984 by the Texas Governor’s Commission for Women to recognize women who have attained extraordinary achievements and ensure those achievements and contributions are written into our state’s legacy.”
“The legacy of women’s sports will now be safeguarded for generations to come,” he added.
In 2021, the state of Texas passed a similar law which required “public school students to compete in interscholastic athletic competitions based on biological sex.”
“In Texas, we refuse to deny any woman or girl athlete the right to compete on a level playing field, and to be the best in their sport,” Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick stated in a tweet at the time.
Mirroring policies outlined in the Independent Women’s Forum-sponsored Women’s Bill of Rights, both laws reflect a biological understanding of sex: there are only two sexes, male and female, and there are real, immutable differences between the two.
A champion of the bill, Gaines told those in attendance at Monday’s ceremony “I am thankful to Governor Greg Abbott for supporting women and girls at all levels of competitive sport—including collegiate athletes.”
“By signing the Save Women’s Sports Act,” she added, “Governor Abbott has sent a powerful message to Texans and to all Americans that we must protect the female category in sports if women and girls are to have equal athletic opportunities required by law.”
State Sens. Kelly Hancock, Mayes Middleton, Tan Parker, and Drew Springer were present at the event, as well as state Reps. Benjamin Bumgarner, Richard Hayes, Stephanie Klick, Jared Patterson, Nate Schatzline, Reggie Smith, Lynn Stucky, Valoree Swanson, and Kronda Thimesch.
