“And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus …” Hebrews 12:1
The future of female athletics is on the line in Pennsylvania. Our nation is watching the heartbreaking controversy surrounding the women’s swim team at the University of Pennsylvania. Women and girls should not be forced to compete against men playing on women’s sports teams.
A biologically male athlete at the University of Pennsylvania (Penn) is smashing NCAA women’s swimming records. Will Thomas competed on the men’s team for three years and is now competing as Lia Thomas on the women’s team for his senior year. Penn press releases are boasting of the wins despite shamefully displacing the true women record holders in their history books. Cases like this are jeopardizing the hopes and dreams of female athletes nationwide.
Protecting fairness and equality for women and girls in sports should not be a partisan issue. It should be a cause that unites all lawmakers to stand for women’s rights and the intent and purpose of Title IX for female student-athletes.
Languishing in the state legislature is HB 972, a good bill that would prohibit biological men from competing on women’s scholastic sports teams and would ensure that female athletes will continue to be afforded the opportunity to compete on a level playing field. HB 972 was introduced in the House and referred to the Education Committee, where it has stalled. Concerned Women for America (CWA) of Pennsylvania is urging the committee to take up this bill, and we need your help.
Why HB 972 needs passed: when boys compete in girls’ sports, equal opportunity is destroyed. Title IX closed the gap when it became a federal law in 1972 and established that women and girls have equal opportunities. This includes education and athletics.
Read Concerned Women for America’s Protecting Women’s Sports CWA Fact Sheet for additional information on this issue.
Please take action!
- Contact the Education Committee Chairman Curtis Sonney and the Speaker of the House, Rep. Kerry Benninghoff, and let them know that you want HB 972 to be heard and voted on. If you are a member of Concerned Women for America of Pennsylvania, make sure to let them know.
- Contact the bill sponsor Barbara Gleim to thank her for standing strong to protect women and girls.
- Contact your state legislator to let him or her know that you support HB 972 and expect their support also. Use this linkto find out who represents you in the state legislature
- Please forward this e-mail to like-minded friends and family. Encourage them to pray and take action on behalf of this important legislation.
Please pray: Heavenly Father, we ask that our House leadership see the importance of this legislation and that you would give them wisdom and discernment. We also pray you would strengthen Rep. Gleim and the co-sponsors of this bill as they lead the fight on this issue. Keep them strong in the face of any pressure, adversity, and attacks. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
From knees to feet,
Dilonna M. Coran
State Director