Rep. John McGuire Introduces the Riley Gaines Act to protect female athletes

WASHINGTON, D.C. -Representative John McGuire (VA-05) introduced the Riley Gaines Act.The bill, which was crafted by working with Mrs. Gaines, stands up for women who have been sidelined, injured, or lost professional opportunities and scholarships after being forced to compete against biological male athletes.

"If a man assaults a woman on the street, he goes to jail," said Rep. John McGuire (VA-05). "But if a man pretending to be a woman beats up a female in a boxing ring, he's given a medal. This insanity has got to end. Female athletes deserve to feel safe and protected in the sports they love. Instead they are at risk of serious injury and losing scholarships and professional opportunities due to the unfair advantage created by competing against a male in a female sport. The Riley Gaines Act puts protections in place, so the schools and athletic associations that allow males to compete in female sports are held accountable for their dangerous and reckless actions. Riley Gaines is a trailblazer in the movement to protect female athletes and is the inspiration behind this bill. It has been an honor working with her on this legislation. I am hoping common sense will prevail and we will keep our daughters safe while they achieve their competitive goals. Together, we will protect our female athletes."

"The Riley Gaines Act is about one thing: accountability," said Riley Gaines. "If colleges and athletic associations knowingly or recklessly put women in harm's way, they shouldn't be shielded from the consequences. When a female athlete loses a scholarship, a roster spot, or suffers a physical injury because institutions ignored biological reality, there must be a path to justice. This bill doesn't target individuals. It holds powerful institutions responsible for the policies they choose to enforce. Women deserve fairness, safety, and equal opportunity. And if those rights are violated, they deserve their day in court."

Title IX was meant to expand opportunities for women, not erase them. By restoring fairness and providing real consequences when women's sports are compromised, this bill defends the integrity of competition and the future of female athletics.

Background on the Riley Gaines Act

• This bill creates civil actions against institutions of higher education and athletic associations that negligently or recklessly allow a biological male athlete to compete in female-only athletic competitions, resulting in harm to female athletes.
• A biological female athlete may sue for physical injury or other damages, including the loss of scholarships or professional opportunities.
• A prevailing plaintiff is entitled to reasonable attorney's fees.

You can find a copy of the bill's text here.