The fight to protect the integrity of girls’ sports has never been more critical. Sports should be about fairness, opportunity and respect for the hard work that athletes dedicate to their craft. This is why I have once again introduced House Bill 156, Fairness in Girls’ Sports, which ensures only biological females compete in high school varsity and junior varsity girls’ sports.
Let’s be clear: This isn’t about exclusion — it’s about science and fairness. Male and female bodies are different, starting in the womb. Testosterone and other biological factors give males advantages in lean muscle mass, oxygen efficiency and bone structure. These differences aren’t minor — they’re game-changing. Sports like basketball, swimming and track and field amplify these physical distinctions. It’s why male athletes consistently outperform females in speed, strength and endurance. High school sports records alone illustrate this undeniable truth, not to mention the vast differences in Olympic records.
But this fight goes beyond records. It’s about protecting the physical safety of female athletes. In one appalling case, a female volleyball player suffered a traumatic brain injury after a ball was spiked at her by a person who identified as a trans woman. In another, a high school field hockey player had her teeth knocked out. These incidents are warnings about the real-world consequences of ignoring biology.
Even the rules and equipment in sports reflect these biological differences. Girls’ volleyball nets are lower. Girls’ basketballs are smaller. And girls’ lacrosse rules and uniforms are designed specifically for the female body. These adjustments exist because male and female physiology aren’t interchangeable. Yet activists pushing to blur these distinctions seem to believe gender ideology trumps fairness and safety.
Sports are about physical performance — not identity. It takes just one person to disrupt the entire landscape of girls’ sports. We’ve seen this globally, where podium spots and championship titles have been lost by female athletes to people who identify as transgender women. As a society, we can respect and celebrate diversity while maintaining fair competition by recognizing the realities of biology.
Recently, the Biden administration backed off a proposed rule that would have extended Title IX protections to transgender athletes. This decision shows that public sentiment and legal pushback are starting to shift the conversation back toward common sense. At least 25 states have passed laws to protect girls’ sports, and Congress will revisit H.R. 734, the Protecting Women and Girls in Sports Act, in 2025.
As someone who witnessed the benefits of Title IX firsthand, I understand what’s at stake. In the 1970s, Title IX opened doors for female athletes, creating opportunities that didn’t exist before. Not only did more girls gain access to sports, but the range of options expanded dramatically. Those gains are now under threat. Allowing people who identify as transgender women to compete in women’s sports undermines decades of progress and sends a devastating message to girls: Your hard work doesn’t matter.
This issue isn’t just about laws — it’s about culture. Female athletes who participate in competitive sports dedicate their lives to their craft, putting in hours of training and making enormous sacrifices. To let male-bodied athletes take their opportunities is an insult to their efforts and dreams. It’s time to draw a line and say enough is enough.
We must do better. The future of girls’ sports depends on us standing up for what’s right — not just for today’s athletes but for the next generation of girls dreaming of their moment on the field, court or track. This is about preserving the opportunities, achievements and safety of female athletes. It’s time to act and pass H.B. 156, the Fairness in Girls’ Sports Act.
Kathy Szeliga ([email protected]) is a Republican representing District 7A in the Maryland House of Delegates.
