Senator Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee has introduced a resolution to recognize October 10 as “American Girls in Sports Day” in response to the Biden administration’s revisions to Title IX. The resolution aims to celebrate and honor the contributions of girls and women in sports amidst concerns that the administration is erasing decades of progress made for gender equality in athletics. More than 20 Republican senators have co-sponsored the resolution, which has also garnered support from former NCAA champion swimmer Riley Gaines, former ESPN anchor Sage Steele, the Independent Women’s Forum, and other groups.
Gaines, who hosts the “Gaines for Girls” podcast, praised Senator Blackburn and other Tennessee women for paving the way for women to compete at the highest levels of sports. She expressed gratitude for the senator’s efforts to celebrate real women on American Girls in Sports Day. Steele, a longtime sportscaster and advocate for women’s sports, condemned the Biden administration’s decision to overhaul Title IX after more than 50 years of progress. She pledged to stand alongside Senator Blackburn in the fight to protect, uplift, and celebrate women and girls, expressing enthusiasm for the upcoming celebration on October 10th.
At a virtual press conference attended by Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti and West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, Gaines criticized the Biden administration’s overhaul of Title IX as the “most anti-woman” pursuit of this administration. The revisions aim to safeguard LGBTQ+ students and change the adjudication process for sexual harassment and assault claims on college campuses. While the new rules broadly protect against sex-based discrimination, they do not provide guidance on transgender athletes, leading many Republican states to argue that they could be interpreted as such. The filing, co-led by Tennessee, West Virginia, and Kentucky, challenges the authority of the rewrite.
In addition to Blackburn’s resolution, Tennessee is among six states that have sued the Department of Education over the overhaul of Title IX. The states argue that the Biden administration’s revisions threaten to undermine the progress made in providing women with equal opportunities in educational programs and activities over the past five decades. The lawsuit challenges the authority of the rewrite and raises concerns about the impact on women and girls in sports. As the debate continues, supporters of the resolution and lawsuit aim to protect and celebrate the achievements of girls and women in athletics.
The support for Blackburn’s resolution and the lawsuit extends beyond the political arena, with former athletes like Riley Gaines and media personalities like Sage Steele voicing their opposition to the Biden administration’s changes to Title IX. These individuals bring their experiences in sports and advocacy for women’s rights to the forefront of the discussion, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and celebrating the achievements of girls and women in sports. The resolution to establish American Girls in Sports Day serves as a symbol of solidarity and support for female athletes in the face of evolving policies and regulations that could affect their opportunities and rights in the world of athletics.
As the conversation around Title IX revisions and the protection of women and girls in sports continues, Senator Blackburn and her supporters are working to ensure that the contributions of female athletes are recognized and celebrated. By introducing the resolution to establish American Girls in Sports Day and joining the lawsuit against the Department of Education’s overhaul of Title IX, they strive to uphold the principles of gender equality and provide a platform for girls and women to participate and excel in sports. The efforts of Senator Blackburn, Riley Gaines, Sage Steele, and others demonstrate a commitment to advocating for the rights and opportunities of female athletes, reinforcing the importance of celebrating and supporting girls and women in sports.
