Texas Senate Committee Passes Bill Restricting Transgender Athletes from Competing in Collegiate Sports

Texas Senate Committee on State Affairs approved a bill that would restrict transgender athletes from intercollegiate athletic competitions.

Senate Bill 15, also known by Republican state Senator Mayes Middleton, would allow college-level athletes compete based upon a student’s birth certificate. A person reporting a violation would not be subject to retaliation. (pdf)

“Texas Values is excited to see that the Save Women’s Sports bill has moved one step closer to victory in the legislative process,” Mary Elizabeth Castle was the Director of Government Relations for Texas Values. She spoke out to The Epoch Times. Texas Values, a conservative group, advocates traditional JudeoChristian values.

The committee approved the bill by a 7-3 vote. Before the bill can be sent to Gov., it must be passed by both the Senate and House. Greg Abbott to sign it into law.

Abbott signed legislation in 2021 requiring interscholastic athletes to be on teams that match their birth certificates.

Testimony

Riley Gaines (1965 NCAA swimming champion) was among the many athletes who spoke in support of Monday’s bill before the committee. Gaines made headlines last year when she faced a biological man at the NCAA championship.

According to her website, Gaines broke six records at the University of Kentucky. She is also a three-time NCAA championships qualifier as well as a U.S. Olympics qualifier.

“I urge you to pass Senate Bill 15,” Gaines shared her experience as an athlete who faced off against a transgender competitor in the NCAA championship on March 17, 2022.

“My teammates and I, as well as female swimmers from around the country, were forced to compete against a biological male Lia Thomas,” Gaines addressed the committee. “Thomas was allowed to compete in the women’s division after competing at the University of Pennsylvania’s men’s swim team for three years prior.”

Gaines stated that Thomas won the national title in 500-meter freestyle, beating all the other competitors.

Thomas was next up in the 200m freestyle. Gaines tied Thomas for fifth place. Both came in exactly the same time, to within a hundredth of a second.

Gaines testified to the fact that Thomas received the trophy from NCAA. Gaines was sent home empty-handed.

“I felt betrayed and belittled and like my efforts, and the sacrifices I had made had been reduced to a photo op to validate [Thomas],” Gaines said.

Gaines was visibly shaken by her testimony regarding the NCAA allowing Thomas access to the women’s locker rooms.

“The NCAA forced females to share a locker room with Thomas, a six-foot-four, 22-year-old male equipped with and exposing male genitalia and a room full of vulnerable, undressed women,” She spoke.

“Let me be clear, we have not forewarned about this arrangement, we did not give our consent, and we were not asked for our consent.

“I really hope that you can see why this is a violation our right to privacy. It also shows how some of us feel awkward, embarrassed, embarrassed, or even traumatized by the experience.” Gaines continued.

Castle, also in attendance during the testimony, told The Epoch Times that “Men in women’s sport threaten their chance and safety.”

Next Steps for HB 15

The bill must pass in the full Senate and House before it can be delivered to Abbott for a signature to become law.

“This shouldn’t be a problem considering the House version SB 15 already includes 77 coauthors.” Castle added. “I met with Gov. Greg Abbott is knowledgeable about the subject and supports a law to protect women’s sport.”