Voters in Arizona, Nebraska, Colorado, and Washington have approved ballot initiatives that require participation in girls’ school sports to be determined by biological sex, with some states also imposing restrictions on access to private spaces such as restrooms. These measures come amid a growing national debate over transgender participation in athletics, reflecting heightened attention to issues of fairness, safety, and inclusion in school sports.
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The passage of these initiatives follows months of campaigning by advocacy groups on both sides, as well as ongoing disputes over school athletics policies and parental rights. Supporters argue that the new laws are necessary to ensure fair competition and protect opportunities for girls, while critics warn of discrimination and exclusion of transgender youth. The measures have prompted legal and political challenges in other states, and the outcomes in these four states are likely to influence future policy debates nationwide.
Details of State Ballot Measures
In Arizona, voters passed Proposition 318, which mandates that student athletics be based on “biological sex.” The measure also prohibits males from using female private spaces, including restrooms, in schools. Supporters say the law is designed to protect the privacy and safety of female students, while opponents argue it targets transgender youth for exclusion.
Nebraska voters approved Initiative Measure 442, which bars transgender-identifying individuals from joining sports teams that do not align with their biological sex. According to the American Parents Coalition, the measure received support from nearly 70% of voters. The initiative applies to all public schools in the state, affecting both K-12 and collegiate athletics.
Washington’s Initiative 638 bans biological males from participating in female sports and requires a doctor’s documentation to verify eligibility for girls’ teams. This measure introduces a medical verification process, which supporters say will help ensure compliance, but which critics argue could create additional barriers for transgender students.
In Colorado, Proposition 134 requires that school sports from elementary through collegiate levels be based on biological sex. The official Colorado voter guide confirms that the measure applies to both K-12 and collegiate athletics, impacting a broad range of student athletes across the state. The measure’s language specifies that participation in girls’ sports is limited to those whose biological sex is female, as determined at birth.
Advocacy Groups and Supporters’ Response
Advocacy groups that supported the measures have framed the results as a bipartisan affirmation of fairness and safety for girls. Alleigh Marré, executive director of the American Parents Coalition, said the results show that “voters across very different states are saying the same thing, girls deserve fairness, safety, and opportunities of their own.”
"Parents across the political spectrum understand that biological differences matter, and fairness, safety and privacy for our daughters should never depend on party politics."
— Alleigh Marré, executive director, American Parents Coalition
Paul Runko, senior director at Defending Education, credited the outcome to grassroots organizing: “The victory for girls’ sports belongs entirely to the coalition of parents, grandparents, and grassroots advocates who stepped up when politicians, bureaucrats, and teachers' union leaders looked the other way.”
Lori Gimelshteyn, co-founder of the Colorado Parent Advocacy Network, highlighted the role of local activism in Colorado, stating, “Through the extraordinary grassroots efforts of Protect Kids Colorado, we demonstrated that an engaged citizenry can still shape the future of this country.”
Opposition and Unanswered Criticism
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) was contacted for comment but had not responded at the time of publication. Supporters of the measures argue that the issue is not partisan, with Marré stating, “Protecting girls is not a Republican or Democrat issue.”
Gimelshteyn echoed that sentiment, saying, “the issue of fairness in female sports was never about right versus left. It has always been about right versus wrong.”
Opponents, including LGBTQ advocacy organizations and civil liberties groups, have previously argued that such measures are discriminatory and could harm transgender youth by excluding them from school activities and increasing stigma. However, at the time of reporting, major civil liberties organizations had not issued public statements on the new laws.
Broader Context and Next Steps
The passage of these measures signals a shift in how states are addressing the intersection of gender identity and school athletics. Parental rights groups claim the results demonstrate growing momentum for their cause, while supporters say the laws will set new standards for fairness in girls’ sports. The Colorado measure, as outlined in the state’s blue book, will apply to all public schools and colleges, setting a precedent for other states considering similar policies.
The debate over transgender participation in school sports is expected to continue, with legal challenges and further ballot initiatives likely in the coming years. As more states consider similar measures, the outcomes in Arizona, Nebraska, Colorado, and Washington may serve as a reference point for policymakers and advocacy groups nationwide.
