The National Association of Intercollegiate Activities recently announced it is banning men from participating in women's sports at nearly 250 colleges across the U.S. And Rachel Rouleau of Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), a law firm representing female athletes in their lawsuits concerning males in women's sports, says 24 states across the country have passed legislation that protects female athletes and provides them equal opportunities to compete in sports.
In Connecticut, for example, "Chelsea Mitchell had to compete against two male athletes the entire time she was in high school, and she ended up losing four state championship titles to these two males," Rouleau notes.
To some Americans, allowing males in female sports is about inclusivity. Others feel it is just a game and point out that it is not impossible for a woman to defeat a man in sporting events. Billie Jean King, for example, defeated Bobby Riggs in a 1973 tennis match known as the Battle of the Sexes.
Still, Rouleau says males on average have a 10%-50% "biological advantage" in sports, and "a woman should never have to lose opportunities because they're forced to compete against males." That is why Title IX was established in the first place.
"Title IX was passed over 50 years ago to ensure that girls have fair athletic opportunities and get to showcase their talents and be on the podium … and be champions in their own sports," the attorney reiterates.
She says ADF is thankful for those that have reinforced that in their states.
