Georgia House Passes Riley Gaines Act Barring Trans Athletes

The Georgia House has passed the 'Riley Gaines Act,' a bill that prohibits transgender athletes from competing in women's sports, with a vote of 102-54. Named after Riley Gaines, a former collegiate swimmer and advocate for women's sports, the legislation reflects a growing national debate on this issue. Supporters, including the bill's sponsor, Republican Rep. Josh Bonner, argue it is necessary to maintain fair competition for female athletes, while opponents, such as Democratic Rep. Karla Drenner, label the bill as discriminatory and an attempt to erase transgender individuals from public life. The bill now moves to the Senate, which has already passed its own version. This legislation aligns with similar measures in at least 25 other states and comes amidst ongoing discussions about the impact of transgender participation in sports. President Trump's executive order aimed at restricting such participation is also part of the broader context of this legislative action.