Iowa Became the 11th State to Protect Fair Competition in Women’s Sports

In Iowa, men pretending to be women can’t compete on women’s sports teams in schools, colleges, and universities. Governor Kim Reynolds just signed a bill into law to protect fair competition in sports for women. The law took effect immediately.

The law also allows girls and women to sue a school that violates the law and causes them direct or indirect harm. So far, 11 states have passed laws to bar boys and men from competing on girls’ and women’s sports teams.

“This is a victory for girls’ sports in Iowa,” Gov. Reynolds said in a statement. “No amount of talent, training or effort can make up for the natural physical advantages males have over females. It’s simply a reality of human biology, Forcing females to compete against males is the opposite of inclusivity and it’s absolutely unfair.”

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem signed a similar bill into law last month. She vetoed the legislature’s fairness in sports bill last year because she took issue with some of the language. Gov. Noem said the measure contained “vague and overly broad language” and “could have significant unintended consequences.” The legislature refused to make changes, and conservatives accused her of caving. Gov. Noem issued two executive orders that barred biological males from competing with women and girls in sports. The new law replaced her executive orders.

At least 37 states have introduced bills to protect fair competition for women in sports. Governor Brad Little signed the first such law in 2020. A federal judge blocked it, and the matter is still in litigation.

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