Cedar Rapids Today

Congresswoman Ashley Hinson of Iowa's 2nd District expressed her support for the recently passed H.R. 28, known as the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act. The legislation aims to safeguard the integrity of girls' sports.

In a statement, Hinson said, "Girls should not be forced to compete against a biological boy in sports or forced to change in the same locker room as a boy. Nor should parents have to lose sleep over whether their daughters will get a fair chance to compete in the sports they’re passionate about – let alone worry about their safety or privacy. I will continue working to protect girls’ sports and women’s spaces, and I will never bow down to the radical left’s woke ideology that defies common sense."

The passage of this bill follows a recent decision by the U.S. Supreme Court that blocked an attempt by the Biden Administration to redefine sex under Title IX as "gender identity." This ruling halted efforts that would have facilitated biological males competing in women's sports nationwide, affecting states like Iowa that aim to protect girls' athletics.

Title IX, enacted in 1972, was designed to eliminate sex-based discrimination in educational programs and activities. Since its implementation, female participation in high school sports has increased by over 1,000%, with post-secondary participation rising by more than 600%. Despite these advancements, there have been concerns over policies introduced during President Biden's administration that some believe could undermine progress made for women's sports.

Additionally, Congresswoman Hinson supported a bicameral resolution introduced earlier this year recognizing October 10th as "American Girls in Sports Day." This initiative honors female athletes who are dedicated and deserving of recognition for their hard work.