Atlanta, Georgia – The Georgia Board of Regents, which oversees the state’s 26 public universities and colleges, made a significant decision on Tuesday, voting unanimously to request that the NCAA and the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) implement a ban on transgender women from competing in women’s sports. This move was inspired by statements from Georgia’s Republican Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones, who has pledged to introduce legislation aimed at prohibiting transgender women from participating in athletics at state colleges.
Jones expressed his approval of the regents’ decision, claiming it would help safeguard the efforts and opportunities that female athletes put into their sport. In a statement, he mentioned his commitment to supporting female athletics and highlighted the importance of this resolution.
The Board of Regents anticipates that both the NCAA and NJCAA will align with recent rulings from the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), which instituted restrictions in April. Under the NAIA’s new guidelines, participation in women’s sports is confined to individuals assigned female at birth who have not undergone hormone therapy at any point. However, those athletes have the freedom to participate in NAIA-affiliated male sports.
Out of Georgia’s 26 schools with athletic programs, four belong to the NJCAA, five to the NAIA, and the remaining 16 are associated with the NCAA. This includes prominent institutions like Georgia Tech and the University of Georgia, both of which are NCAA members.
Earlier in August, the NCAA modified its policies, aligning them with national and international standards, moving away from its previous requirement established in 2010 for a year of testosterone suppression treatment. Currently, participation rights for transgender athletes are inconsistent among the three athletic associations.
Critics have swiftly condemned this resolution, arguing that the education system should embrace diversity and inclusivity for all students, regardless of their gender identity. Jeff Graham from an LGBTQ rights organization emphasized the need for institutions to enhance the educational experiences of all students.
The topic of transgender athletes in women’s sports gained significant attention in Georgia last year when lawmakers established regulations allowing the Georgia High School Association to monitor transgender women’s sports participation. Following this, the association took swift action to bar transgender women from competing in its events, which received backlash from various community members.
