Georgia Lt. Gov. Launches Girl Dads Coalition for Women’s Sports

Georgia’s Lieutenant Governor, Bert Jones, recently kicked off the Girl Dads for Bert coalition. This initiative aims to advocate for fairness and safety in women’s sports, emphasizing his commitment to ensuring that athletic opportunities remain exclusive to biological girls.

The coalition’s debut aligns with National Girls & Women in Sports Day, a day dedicated to celebrating female athletes. Jones has already garnered support from a father’s leadership committee comprising numerous dads from across Georgia, all rallying for equity and safety in sports for girls.

“Being a father isn’t just a role; it’s crucial. Protecting our daughters on and off the field should be a given,” Jones stated in a press release. “It’s about safety, common sense, and doing what’s right.” He further highlighted the importance of women’s sports in providing opportunities like scholarships and leadership development, urging fathers to recognize their role in securing these futures for their daughters.

In a conversation with Fox News Digital, Jones expressed his ambition to make the day a celebration for “girl dads” nationwide. He noted, “I played football at the University of Georgia, and many of my friends now have teenage children, including daughters.” This triggered the formation of the coalition, gathering about thirty fathers who share competitive instincts, similar to their daughters.

Among the coalition members are a variety of fathers—elected officials, law enforcement personnel, and even sports legends like Champ Bailey, who expressed a desire to advocate for fairness in girls’ athletics. “Standing up for our daughters involves ensuring equity and safety, both in sports and life,” Bailey remarked in a video message.

Jones also mentioned that several former University of Georgia athletes, including his college roommate Corey Phillips, have joined the coalition. He reflected proudly on their common background and competitive spirits, noting, “Daughters can be just as competitive, if not more so, than sons.”

As Jones campaigns to become the next governor, succeeding Brian Kemp, he faces several opponents within the Republican party as well as Democratic contenders. While acknowledging the coalition may not define the election, he believes it resonates deeply with many people.

“This coalition shows the breadth and depth of who I am beyond just politics—I’m a father and a Georgian who wants to see our youth thrive,” he said. He also firmly supports the idea of limiting women’s sports to biological females, referencing instances where male athletes have competed in women’s categories.

Jones has been an active supporter of the Riley-Gaines Act, which mandates that athletic teams in Georgia are based on biological sex. “It’s simply unfair for biological males to take spots and opportunities from hardworking female athletes,” he commented, strongly opposing such practices. Similar measures are being pursued across the country, with federal initiatives and other Republican-led states addressing the issue of transgender athletes in women’s sports.

Last year, Trump, who endorsed Jones, made headlines by signing an executive order aimed at keeping biological males out of women’s sports. “We appreciate the president’s support,” Jones mentioned, alluding to past legislative attempts to limit transgender girls’ participation in female sports that ultimately stalled in Congress.

While Jones aspires to expand the coalition further, he’s received positively from families concerned about fairness in sports. Many parents have shared experiences where their daughters faced challenges in competitions due to perceived unfair advantages, reinforcing the need for this coalition.

“Our goal is not to exclude but to uplift women’s sports,” he clarified, emphasizing the unifying power of athletics in bridging divides often seen in political arenas. “Sports tend to bring people together, transcending political affiliations.”