Georgia Governor Brian Kemp just signed the Riley Gaines Act, a powerful new law that bans biological males from competing in female sports. Backed by overwhelming public support and named after former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines, this bold legislation puts women first and political ideology last.

A Clear Victory for Common Sense

The Riley Gaines Act, passed as Senate Bill 1, mandates that all Georgia K-12 schools, colleges, and universities classify sports teams by biological sex only—not gender identity. It applies to both public and private schools when competing against state-funded teams. Beyond athletics, the law also safeguards restrooms, locker rooms, and overnight accommodations, ensuring that girls aren’t forced into uncomfortable or unsafe situations.

Governor Kemp said the law is “about fairness, safety, and protecting opportunities for girls and women in Georgia.” With this signature, Georgia becomes one of over 25 states standing up to protect women’s sports from being erased by woke gender policies.

Riley Gaines: From NCAA Swimmer to National Advocate

Riley Gaines, who made headlines after tying with transgender swimmer Lia Thomas in 2022, has emerged as a leading voice in the fight to keep women’s sports for biological women. “Such a tremendous honor,” Gaines said in response to the law being named after her. “There are few causes more worthy than protecting opportunities for the next generation.”

Former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines is getting a bit of a Minnesota Capitol tour before speaking to the crowd rallying to support the GOP House bill to ban transgender athletes from school sports. pic.twitter.com/qzOnorEvTR

— Corin Hoggard (@corinhoggard) March 3, 2025

Lawmakers like House Speaker Jon Burns and Lt. Governor Burt Jones made it clear: Georgia won’t back down to radical activists. “Biological men are not welcome in girls’ sports or spaces here in Georgia,” said Burns. The message was made even louder by passing the bill on Transgender Day of Visibility, underlining that Georgia stands with science, not slogans.

Georgia Joins Trump in Fighting for Title IX Integrity

The law’s passage also aligns with President Trump’s February executive order, which directs the U.S. Department of Education to investigate schools that allow biological males in female sports. Those institutions could now face Title IX violations and lose federal funding. Georgia’s move reinforces that commitment at the state level, adding muscle to the national effort to defend Title IX’s original intent: protecting women’s athletic opportunities.

Polls show over 70% of Georgia voters support the new law, despite angry protests from left-wing activists. As Senator Greg Dolezal stated, “When you allow males to participate in female sports, it ceases to become female sport.”

On July 1, 2025, Georgia will officially enforce these protections—ensuring that girls across the state have a level playing field, free from unfair biological advantages.

The message is clear: Georgia is choosing fairness over fiction.

Sources:

Kemp signs bill banning transgender girls, women from playing on female sports teams

Governor Kemp Signs ‘Riley Gaines Act’ Banning Trans Athletes from Girls’ Sports