Riley Gaines and fellow athletes are calling for criminal prosecution of officials who allow biological males to compete in women’s sports, declaring “a man’s feelings matter more than our physical safety” is a criminal action.
Key Takeaways
- President Trump’s “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports” executive order has prompted investigations and lawsuits against states that continue to allow transgender athletes in women’s sports.
- Former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines leads a lawsuit against the NCAA seeking policy changes and monetary damages for female athletes affected by transgender inclusion policies.
- Several Democrat-led states including California, Maine, Minnesota, Oregon, and Washington are defying the executive order, adhering to their own state laws.
- Oregon high school track star Alexa Anderson staged a protest by refusing to stand on the podium with a transgender athlete, citing fairness concerns for biological females.
- Critics argue the NCAA’s revised gender eligibility policy lacks effective enforcement measures despite recent changes following Trump’s executive order.
Athletes Call for Legal Action Against Officials
The battle over transgender athletes in women’s sports has intensified as prominent female athletes call for criminal prosecution of officials who permit biological males to compete against women. Former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines, who competed against transgender swimmer Lia Thomas at the 2022 NCAA championships, is leading the charge alongside other affected athletes. The Trump administration has taken decisive action through the “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports” executive order signed four months ago, but several Democrat-governed states continue to resist federal directives.
“I would love to see prosecution because I believe what is happening is criminal. The way that we have been told that a man’s feelings matter more than our physical safety, than our rights to participate, to call ourselves champions, I believe that is a criminal action, therefore I believe it is a criminal offense,” said Riley Gaines, former NCAA swimmer.
State Resistance and Federal Response
States including California, Maine, Minnesota, Oregon, and Washington have defied the presidential order, continuing to follow their own state laws that permit transgender athletes to compete based on gender identity rather than biological sex. This defiance has prompted the Trump administration to initiate investigations and lawsuits against these states. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has suggested possible prosecution for officials who knowingly violate federal law by allowing biological males to compete in women’s sports categories.
The administration has already taken concrete steps, including freezing funding to the University of Pennsylvania and filing a lawsuit against the state of Maine. Additionally, investigations have been launched against high school sports leagues in California, Minnesota, and Massachusetts, with California facing a specific deadline to amend its policies or face further legal consequences. These actions demonstrate the administration’s commitment to enforcing the executive order despite resistance from progressive states.
Grassroots Resistance from Female Athletes
Female athletes across the country are taking stands against transgender inclusion policies they view as unfair. In Oregon, high school track star Alexa Anderson refused to stand on the podium with a transgender athlete during a medal ceremony. Anderson and fellow athlete Reese Eckard stood behind the podium during the ceremony, declining to share the platform with transgender student Liaa Rose, who placed fifth in the competition. Their protest wasn’t without consequences – an official reportedly told the protesting athletes to “step aside” and “get out” of the photos.
“I just didn’t think that it’s fair to biological females to allow and encourage biological males to compete among us, not only for myself and the other girl that stepped down, but the girl who should have been on the podium and the girl who didn’t even get to go to state because she was beaten by a biological male at districts,” Said Alexa Anderson.
Anderson’s attorney, Jessica Steinmann, revealed that the America First Policy Institute has filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education to investigate the Oregon Department of Education over its transgender athlete policies. Steinmann emphasized that female athletes are losing medals, scholarships, and economic opportunities to biological males in competition. This grassroots resistance reflects growing frustration among female athletes who believe their right to fair competition is being undermined.
NCAA Policy Changes and Legal Challenges
The NCAA has revised its gender eligibility policy following President Trump’s executive order, but critics argue the new policy lacks meaningful enforcement provisions. A recent incident involving a transgender athlete’s participation in a Division III rowing competition at Ithaca College was attributed to a “misunderstanding,” with no apparent consequences from the NCAA. This has fueled skepticism about the organization’s commitment to enforcing its own rules when it comes to transgender athletes.
“When you see the harm that this is causing women and girls, how could you not want to support prosecuting defying this?” said Kylee Alons, another affected athlete.
Gaines, alongside other athletes including Kylee Alons, has filed a lawsuit against the NCAA that seeks not only policy changes but also monetary damages for female athletes affected by transgender inclusion policies. The lawsuit specifically targets university officials who implement these policies, with Gaines naming Georgia Tech’s president as someone who should face prosecution. Attorney William Bock supports this position, arguing that officials knowingly defying federal law should face consequences, especially given that the executive order has been in place for several months.
