Riley Gaines Act: Shifting Dynamics in Women’s Sports and Transgender Inclusion

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed the Riley Gaines Act into law, prohibiting transgender athletes from competing in school sports categories that don’t align with their biological sex, marking Georgia as the latest state to implement such restrictions amid growing national debate over women’s sports protections.

Quick Takes

The Riley Gaines Act requires student athletes in Georgia to compete on teams aligned with their biological sex and restricts facility usage accordingly.
The law is named after former collegiate swimmer Riley Gaines, who tied with transgender swimmer Lia Thomas in a 2022 NCAA championship.
Over 25 other states have enacted similar legislation restricting transgender participation in girls’ sports.
A poll indicated more than 70% of Georgia voters support requiring athletes to compete according to their birth certificate sex.
The law applies to all public K-12 schools, colleges, universities, and private teams competing against public teams, taking effect July 1.

Georgia Joins Growing List of States Protecting Women’s Sports

Governor Brian Kemp signed Senate Bill 1, known as the “Riley Gaines Act of 2025,” making Georgia the latest of more than 25 states to enact legislation prohibiting transgender girls from participating in girls’ sports. The bill, sponsored by Republican state Senator Greg Dolezal, requires schools to designate sports teams as male, female, or coed, and mandates that student athletes compete according to their biological sex as identified on their birth certificate. The comprehensive legislation also extends to restrooms, locker rooms, and sleeping quarters, requiring transgender students to use facilities that correspond with their birth sex.

GA Gov Brian Kemp signs SB 1, the Riley Gaines Act, into law. It prevents men from playing in women's sports and entering women's locker rooms.

Common sense is making a comeback. pic.twitter.com/6Gf3BPPr4Z

— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) April 28, 2025

The measure was a priority for Republican leadership in Georgia, including House Speaker Jon Burns and Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones. Burns stated that with this legislation, “The General Assembly sent a clear message – biological men are not welcome in girls’ sports or spaces here in Georgia.” Meanwhile, Jones declared that Georgia had “made a historic step toward achieving a critical goal for this session, the protection of women’s sports.” The legislation passed on Transgender Day of Visibility, a day traditionally dedicated to advocacy for transgender rights.

Named After Swimming Champion Riley Gaines

The bill derives its name from Riley Gaines, a former University of Kentucky swimmer who gained national attention after tying with transgender swimmer Lia Thomas for fifth place in the 200-meter freestyle at the 2022 NCAA Championships. Despite the tie, the championship trophy was awarded to Thomas, fueling Gaines’ advocacy against biological males competing in women’s sports. Upon learning of the Georgia legislation named in her honor, Gaines expressed appreciation, calling it “a tremendous honor” and stating that “there are few causes more worthy than protecting opportunities for the next generation.”

Senator Dolezal, the bill’s sponsor, emphasized that the legislation’s purpose is to maintain competitive fairness. “It will establish clearly in Georgia law that males are not allowed to compete in female sports in the state of Georgia,” he stated. This marks the second time in three years that Governor Kemp has signed similar legislation, reinforcing Georgia’s stance on the issue. The Georgia High School Association had already implemented a policy requiring athletes to compete based on their birth certificate sex.

Broad Public Support Amid Continued Controversy

Public opinion in Georgia appears to favor the new law, with over 70% of Georgia voters supporting the requirement that athletes compete according to their birth certificate sex, according to polling cited by supporters. The legislation will apply to all public K-12 schools, colleges, universities, and private teams that compete against public teams when it takes effect on July 1. The bill’s passage aligns with similar actions at the federal level, including President Trump’s February executive order to investigate schools allowing men to compete in women’s sports for potential Title IX violations.

Despite strong support among conservatives, the law has faced criticism from transgender rights activists. Opponents held a protest “field day” event, arguing that the legislation harms transgender youth and addresses a non-existent problem. Activist Bentley Hudgins stated, “While Republicans play political games and bully transgender children, they cannot and will not steal our joy.” Nevertheless, with the new law’s enactment, Georgia solidifies its position among the majority of states that have implemented similar protections for women’s sports in recent years.