Presidential Actions on Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports

In recent years, debates surrounding gender identity and its role in sports have sparked heated discussions. One major issue has been the participation of transgender athletes, particularly male-born athletes, in women’s sports. In response to these concerns, the President has issued an executive order aimed at addressing the fairness, safety, and integrity of women’s athletics. the key provisions of the Presidential Actions to protect women’s sports from male participation, outlining the policy, purpose, and steps taken by the federal government.

Section 1 Policy and Purpose

The central issue that this executive order seeks to address is the increasing number of men competing in women’s sports. Many educational institutions and athletic associations have allowed male athletes to compete in women’s categories. The President argues that this practice is unfair, demeaning, and harmful to women and girls, as it undermines their opportunities to compete fairly. The policy is clear to protect women and girls in sports, it is vital to preserve gender-based divisions in competitive sports.

The order also reiterates the importance of Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, which mandates that educational institutions receiving federal funds provide equal opportunities for women and men to participate in sports. The President stresses that by allowing men to participate in women’s sports, these institutions are violating the intent of Title IX and depriving women and girls of meaningful opportunities.

Additionally, the order highlights several court cases where the rights of women and girls have been jeopardized by such policies. These cases reaffirm the need to uphold women’s sports and prevent the participation of male athletes in women’s competitions, ensuring fairness, safety, and equal opportunity.

Section 2 Definitions

The definitions in a previous executive order, Executive Order 14168 (issued on January 20, 2025), are incorporated into this new order. These definitions help clarify key terms, such as “biological sex” and “gender identity,” to ensure that there is no ambiguity when interpreting the order’s provisions. By using these definitions, the order aims to create consistency in its implementation and to ensure the preservation of the traditional understanding of sex-based divisions in sports.

Section 3 Preserving Women’s Sports in Education

One of the primary focuses of this order is the protection of women’s sports in educational settings. To achieve this goal, the President has instructed the Secretary of Education to take swift action. This includes enforcing regulations that ensure educational institutions do not force female students to compete with or against male athletes. The Secretary of Education is also directed to enforce the fair treatment of female athletes and the preservation of female-only spaces, such as locker rooms.

The executive order calls for strict enforcement of Title IX, with a focus on ensuring that women’s sports opportunities are not diluted by the inclusion of men. The Department of Education is tasked with reviewing grants and rescinding funding to educational programs that fail to comply with these policies. In addition, the Department of Justice is to provide resources to support the swift enforcement of these changes.

Section 4 Preserving Fairness and Safety in Women’s Sports

The safety and fairness of women’s sports are major concerns when men are allowed to compete in women’s events. Many sports organizations have adopted policies that permit male athletes to compete if they meet certain requirements, such as lowering testosterone levels or proving a “sincerely held” gender identity. The executive order emphasizes that such policies are inherently unfair to female athletes and put their safety at risk.

To address these issues, the order directs the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy to convene meetings with key stakeholders, including athletic organizations, governing bodies, and female athletes who have been impacted by these policies. The aim is to promote policies that prioritize the fairness and safety of female athletes and align with the intent of Title IX.

Additionally, the order directs the Secretary of State to take action at the international level, particularly in sports diplomacy, to ensure that women’s sports categories are based on biological sex, not gender identity. This includes reviewing international rules and advocating for policy changes within organizations such as the International Olympic Committee.

Section 5 General Provisions

The executive order includes several general provisions that clarify how the order will be implemented. For example, it reaffirms that the order will not interfere with the legal authority of federal agencies and their leaders. It also states that the order does not create any new legal rights or benefits that individuals or organizations can enforce against the federal government.

Another important provision is that the order will be applied in accordance with applicable laws and will be subject to the availability of appropriations. If any part of the order is deemed invalid by a court, the remainder of the order will still be enforced.

The Presidential Actions on keeping men out of women’s sports reflect a strong commitment to preserving fairness, safety, and equal opportunities for female athletes. Through this executive order, the President is taking significant steps to ensure that women’s sports remain a space where women and girls can compete on equal footing, free from the unfair advantage that male athletes might have in some cases. With a focus on protecting Title IX’s original intent and advocating for policies both nationally and internationally, the order aims to safeguard the integrity of women’s sports for future generations.