Support from Congress for Women’s Sports
As the Supreme Court prepares for oral arguments next week in two cases concerning trans athletes, over 200 female members of Congress have backed a brief advocating for the “saving of women’s sports.” This brief has gathered the signatures of 207 members, led by Idaho Rep. Barbara Ehardt.
Among those who signed are notable figures such as Maine Rep. Laurel Libby, who has been at the forefront of discussions about women’s sports, particularly after being criticized for her views on trans athletes last February. Other signers include Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth, Iowa Senate President Amy Sinclair, Missouri Sen. Cindy O’Loughlin, Alaska Rep. Shelley Hughes, Kansas Rep. Christy Williams, and North Dakota Senator Janne Myrdal.
All of the signatories are Republicans, contrasting sharply with nearly all Democrats, who generally support the inclusion of biological males in women’s sports.
The brief emphasizes the necessity of maintaining separate women’s sports programs due to biological differences between the sexes, arguing that eligibility should rely on biological criteria rather than an individual’s gender identity.
The Supreme Court justices are set to hear cases from West Virginia and Idaho on Tuesday, where trans athletes have previously challenged laws that restrict participation based on sex.
Various briefs have already been filed in these cases, with some defending the push to “save women’s sports” and others advocating for transgender inclusion.
Additionally, 31 Olympic athletes, including 12 medalists (eight of whom are gold medalists), have endorsed a court brief supporting this legal defense. Simultaneously, 130 Democratic members of Congress have signed a brief urging the court to favor the two trans athletes involved in the suits.
This group includes well-known figures such as House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, and Rep. Nancy Pelosi, among others.
A federal judge has permitted a lawsuit concerning a transgender athlete to proceed after an attempt to terminate it.
Recently, two schoolgirls from West Virginia, along with their families, emerged with allegations against one of the trans athletes involved, who holds a leadership position in the ACLU. To protect the minor’s identity, Fox News will not disclose her name.
Adalia Cross, a Bridgeport High School student who previously competed with a trans athlete, claims that inappropriate comments were directed toward her in the girls’ locker room. Cross, who is older than the trans athlete, left the track team to avoid a shared locker room in high school.
Her mother, Abby, recounted the alleged comments that took place during their time in the locker room while they were at school.
Abby Cross accuses the trans athlete of making crude sexual threats toward her daughter and other team members.
The ACLU has responded to these allegations, stating that both the athlete and her mother deny them, asserting that a school investigation found them baseless. They maintain their commitment to uphold Title IX rights, ensuring a secure and welcoming environment for all students.
In contrast, the attorney for the Cross family from the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) emphasized that their client has provided sworn testimony regarding the incidents and had to leave a sport she loved to avoid further distress.
Meanwhile, Emmy Salerno, a former track athlete, reported feeling intimidated by a trans athlete in a separate incident. She described an uncomfortable situation where she felt threatened during a basketball game.
Salerno expressed concern that the athlete was attempting to provoke her, leading to feelings of anxiety about her safety.
The ACLU has yet to address Salerno’s claims publicly.
