1. United States
2. Miss.
3. Letter

This bill, S. 9 known as the "Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2025," seeks to mandate that for purposes of compliance with Title IX, which prohibits sex discrimination in education programs receiving federal funds, an individual's sex would be determined solely by their "reproductive biology and genetics at birth." This would effectively ban transgender women and girls from participating in female sports teams and competitions. While aiming to preserve fair competition, this legislation overlooks the complex realities of gender identity and expression. It fails to account for the physical variations within cisgender populations and the impacts of hormone therapy for transgender athletes. Blanket exclusion contradicts inclusive policies adopted by numerous athletic organizations based on current medical consensus. Instead of denial of opportunity, a more nuanced approach allowing for reasonable policies and guidelines developed with scientific input could achieve Title IX's intended protections while being more equitable. Promoting the full inclusion and affirmation of all students, including transgender youth, fosters positive academic and social development. This legislation's overly restrictive gender criteria raise concerning human rights implications. I urge you to oppose this bill and instead support policies grounded in established science, equity, and respect for all people's dignity and right to partake in the benefits of athletics and education free from discrimination.