House Republican Rep. Dusty Johnson has introduced legislation to mandate sex-segregated sports teams at military academies, backed by activist Riley Gaines. The bill, titled the Protection of Women in Sports at Military Academies Act, aims to ensure fair competition by prohibiting male participation in female-designated athletic programs. Johnson argues that Congress has clear jurisdiction over military academies and that the legislation upholds fairness and integrity in military training.
Gaines, known for her advocacy against transgender athletes in women’s sports, supports the measure, citing her own experiences with alleged unfair competition. She has faced significant backlash from figures like Olympian Simone Biles, who criticized her stance on transgender athletes in a recent clash. The legislation faces criticism for its potential to exclude transgender individuals and has drawn controversy across the political spectrum.
Johnson, the lone House representative from South Dakota, is chair of the Main Street Caucus, a group of economic-minded House GOP pragmatists. This marks another instance of the conservative faction pushing for policies that align with traditional gender roles, particularly in the context of military training. A counterpart to Johnson’s legislation is being led in the Senate by Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., who has echoed similar sentiments about the need to focus on preparing the next generation of leaders rather than engaging in what he describes as woke indoctrination.
The bill, which would prohibit the participation of males in athletic programs or activities at the military service academies that are designated for women or girls, is also being backed by the Independent Women’s Law Center. This organization has previously supported similar legislative efforts aimed at restricting transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports. The controversy highlights the ongoing national debate over gender identity in sports and its implications for policy and public discourse.