For Immediate Release: February 17, 2026 | Contact: [email protected]
WASHINGTON, DC – In a letter sent to the Irish Dance Teachers Association of North America (IDTANA) and The Irish Dancing Commission (CLRG), Concerned Women for America (CWA) has called on these governing bodies to adopt a policy returning sex-based categories to their original, foundational intent before the World Irish Dance Championships take place in the U.S. in March. For three years in a row, they have allowed dancers to compete in the category that aligns with their self-attested gender identity, not their actual sex.
In December 2025, a boy won the Southern Regional Champion title in the Girls’ U16 category, the third time that he has done so. This male qualifier is expected to compete in the Girls division at both the World Irish Dance Championships in Chicago in March and the IDTANA national championship in Florida this summer.
“The Irish Dance governing bodies must change their policy to one that recognizes biological reality and protects their female dancers. It is inherently unfair for biological females to compete against biological males. Young female dancers have lost titles, qualifications, and placements that were rightfully theirs in Irish Dance because of the current policy enabling boys to compete with girls,” said Penny Nance, CEO and President, Concerned Women for America.
“The Irish Dance Teachers Association of North America (IDTANA) and The Irish Dancing Commission (CLRG) must restore the rights of girls to compete against girls only before Worlds in March to align with U.S. recognition that biological females should only compete against biological females. Anything less is negligence and utter disregard for female dancers,” said Nance.
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Concerned Women for America, the nation’s largest public policy women’s organization, is dedicated to promoting Biblical values and Constitutional principles in public policy.
More information is available at www.ConcernedWomen.org.
To arrange an interview with CWA, please contact Kelly Oliver at (703) 307-9404 or [email protected].
