The debate over the future of women’s sports in America is heating up, thanks especially to Democrats’ efforts to pass the Equality Act, legislation which would force schools that accept federal funding to allow biological males to compete in girls’ athletics. The bill passed the House yesterday on a largely party-line vote and is now headed to the Senate.
Yesterday in USA Today, former UFC champion and MMA fighter Frank Mir joined with American Principles Project (APP) executive director Terry Schilling — both fathers of female athletes — to condemn the Equality Act and call on leaders to defend a fair playing field for women in sports:
Biological male athletes have an insurmountable physical advantage over biological female athletes. They have greater muscle mass, bigger and stronger bones, and larger hearts and lungs than women. Moreover, one new study shows that even after taking female hormones, transgender women athletes still enjoy at least a temporary physical advantage on the playing field.
This reality cannot be ignored. It could even be dangerous.
For example, consider the implications of a young woman competing in boxing or another physical sport being matched up with a biological male opponent. Besides likely being at a fundamental disadvantage, she might also be at increased risk of severe injury based on physical differences. Unfortunately, this hypothetical has already played out in a 2013 incident, and it could have major consequences on the whole of women’s sports should such situations become more normal.
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Joe Biden and Democrats insist that these changes are necessary in order to achieve “equality.” But the question we should be asking is: Equality for whom? This does not foster equality for the many female athletes whose opportunities and perhaps even safety would be jeopardized by as a result. In fact, it would make the playing field more unequal than ever. Fairness, safety, and common sense all hang in the balance.
You can read their full op-ed here.
