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President Donald Trump has issued an executive order prohibiting biological males from participating in women's sports. The order, signed on February 5, emphasizes the administration's stance on preserving the integrity of female athletics.
“Under the Trump administration, we will defend the proud tradition of female athletes, and we will not allow men to beat up, injure and cheat our women and our girls,” President Trump declared during the signing ceremony. He further stated that “from now on, women’s sports will be only for women.”
The executive order titled "Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports" argues that allowing biological men to compete in women's sports is “demeaning, unfair, and dangerous to women and girls.” It claims this practice denies them equal opportunities in competitive sports.
According to Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, educational institutions receiving federal funding must provide equal opportunities for women in sports. The order insists that failing to recognize fundamental biological differences between sexes deprives females of meaningful access to education facilities.
The administration plans to prioritize enforcement actions against schools requiring female students to compete with or appear unclothed before males in athletic events.
The order also tasks Secretary of State Marco Rubio with encouraging changes at the International Olympic Committee. These changes would ensure eligibility for women's sporting events is based on sex rather than gender identity or testosterone levels.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt mentioned that President Trump expects organizations like the Olympic Committee and NCAA to stop allowing men in women's sports. She said, “the President with the signing of his pen starts a very public pressure campaign on these organizations.”
While U.S. bishops have not commented on this latest development, Bishop Robert E. Barron recently supported another initiative by President Trump aimed at limiting medical procedures for transgender minors. He remarked that accepting one's body as created is key to freedom and happiness.
In 2023, U.S. bishops endorsed legislation requiring federally funded female sports programs be exclusive to biological females. Bishops Barron and Thomas A. Daly emphasized avoiding practices undermining human dignity or unequal treatment based on sex.
Lauretta Brown serves as culture editor for OSV News.
