BANNED: Who Can’t Play Girls’ Sports Now?
Nebraska has enacted the “Stand With Women Act,” a new law restricting transgender girls from competing in female sports categories, intensifying the national debate over gender identity and fairness in athletics.
At a Glance
Nebraska law (LB 89) prohibits transgender girls from participating in female-designated sports
The legislation defines sex based solely on biological birth sex
Athletes must provide a doctor’s verification to join sex-segregated teams
Supporters argue it protects fairness and women’s athletic opportunities
Critics warn of legal, medical, and civil rights consequences
What the Law Says
Governor Jim Pillen signed Legislative Bill 89, marking Nebraska’s entry into a cohort of states tightening regulations on transgender student athletes. The bill mandates sex-based categorization for sports, bathrooms, and locker rooms in public schools and universities.
Athletes must undergo sex verification through a physician, and female students may only join boys’ teams if no girls’ team exists.
State Senator Kathleen Kauth defended the measure, saying it preserves opportunities “for athletic competitions or even things like grants set aside for women.”
National Trend, Legal Implications
Nebraska becomes the 24th state to enact such legislation since 2020. Idaho’s HB 500 was the first, although it remains blocked by federal courts. The U.S. House passed HR 734, reinforcing that Title IX should protect programs designated for “biological females,” defining sex by “reproductive biology and genetics at birth.”
Globally, similar arguments are echoed by sports organizations. UN Special Rapporteur Reem Alsalem stated, “Males must not compete in the female categories of sport,” sparking support from advocates of sex-segregated competition.
Heated Debate and Political Fallout
The bill passed along party lines, with a 5-3 committee vote. Supporters called it a restoration of women’s rights in sports. Detractors raised privacy concerns and challenged the ethics of mandatory sex verification. Senator Merv Riepe critiqued the bill’s urgency, remarking, “If Trump’s executive order can stand for four years, then LB 89 can wait four years.”
These debates mirror national tensions, with several lawsuits pending and constitutional challenges likely to reach the Supreme Court.
Implementation and Next Steps
The Nebraska School Activities Association and NCAA have signaled compliance. The law protects schools from complaints for maintaining gender-specific teams and facilities. Enforcement will rely on both documentation and administrative oversight.
As federal and state-level battles escalate, Nebraska’s law represents a potent symbol in the cultural struggle over inclusion, biology, and equity in sports—a contest where both civil rights and competitive principles hang in the balance.