Georgia high school and college student-athletes born male should not participate in women’s sports, according to a recommendation by a state Senate committee. If the General Assembly’s Republican majority adopts this recommendation, it would address a contentious issue that has been ongoing for over two years.

A bill introduced in 2022 aimed to stop transgender students born male from competing in most girls’ sports, citing that males who go through puberty would have physical advantages over female athletes. However, this bill faced opposition from Democrats and transgender rights advocates who argued it would increase the stigma against transgender students, who already experience higher rates of isolation and suicide.

The General Assembly previously shifted the decision-making power regarding transgender athlete participation to the Georgia High School Association (GHSA). In May 2022, the GHSA’s executive committee voted to allow transgender students to compete based on their gender identity as stated on their birth certificates.

The Senate Special Committee on the Protection of Women’s Sport, in a nine-page report, recommended reversing this delegation and giving the power back to the legislature. The report suggested legislation to prevent students born male from competing in women’s sports across public and private high schools, colleges, and universities in Georgia.

It also proposed separate changing facilities based on biological sex at birth for sports events. Five former female college swimmers testified about their negative experiences sharing locker rooms with transgender athlete Lia Thomas. The proposed legislation is anticipated to pass in the upcoming legislative session, with the support of key legislative leaders.