Governor Brian Kemp (R-GA) took decisive action as he signed the Riley Gaines Act into law, securing the future of women’s sports in the state by requiring student athletes to compete according to their biological sex.
The landmark legislation, named after swimmer Riley Gaines, who tied with transgender athlete Lia Thomas at the 2022 NCAA Championships, protects female athletes from competing against biological males.
Over 25 other states have already implemented similar measures to defend women’s sports from the radical gender ideology threatening to erase them.
The Georgia legislature passed Senate Bill 1, officially known as the “Riley Gaines Act of 2025,” which makes it illegal for transgender student-athletes to play on school sports teams according to their gender identity rather than biological sex.
Governor Kemp signed the proposal into law after it was championed by Republican leadership, including House Speaker Jon Burns and Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones.
The new law requires schools to designate sports teams as male, female, or coed, with students required to compete based on their birth certificate sex.
It also mandates that transgender students use restrooms, locker rooms, and sleeping quarters that correspond with their biological sex rather than their gender identity.
“The General Assembly sent a clear message—biological men are not welcome in girls’ sports or spaces here in Georgia,” House Speaker Jon Burns said.
Meanwhile, Georgia becomes the latest state to stand up against the progressive push to allow biological males to compete in women’s sports.
The timing was particularly notable as the bill was passed on Transgender Day of Visibility, sending a clear message that protecting women’s sports takes precedence over gender ideology.
Lieutenant Governor Jones celebrated the legislation as having “made a historic step toward achieving a critical goal for this session, the protection of women’s sports.”
The bill’s namesake, Riley Gaines, expressed her appreciation, stating, “Such a tremendous honor. There are few causes more worthy than protecting opportunities for the next generation.”
Gaines has become a prominent advocate for women’s sports after being forced to compete against and tie with transgender swimmer Lia Thomas, only to have the championship trophy awarded to Thomas instead.
Governor Kemp defended the law by stating, “This common sense legislation is about what is fair and safe for our children. Girls should not have to share a playing field, a restroom, or locker room with boys.”
The bill’s sponsor, State Senator Greg Dolezal, emphasized its importance, saying, “This bill recognizes that when you allow males to participate in female sports, it ceases to become a female sport.”
His position resonates with Georgia voters, as polls show over 70% support requiring athletes to compete according to their birth certificate sex.
Moreover, the policy applies to all public K-12 schools, colleges, universities, and even private teams competing against public schools.
It will take effect on July 1 and joins similar measures across the country to preserve fair competition for female athletes.
“This is a proud and decisive moment for Georgia. This legislation restores fairness and preserves the integrity of women’s athletics. These principles should never be sacrificed at the altar of radical, woke ideology,” stated Senator Dolezal.
The passage of the Riley Gaines Act aligns with President Trump’s February executive order that investigates schools allowing men to compete in women’s sports for potential Title IX violations, which could result in the withholding of federal funding.
Ultimately, Georgia’s decisive action reflects a growing national movement to protect women’s sports from the progressive agenda that threatens decades of hard-won progress for female athletes.
