Georgia Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones on Monday announced the Fair and Safe Athletic Opportunities Act, which his office said in a press release, “would ban biological males from participating in women’s sports across Georgia.”
The lieutenant governor’s office explained the legislation, which is also known as Senate Bill 1, was drafted based upon the findings by the Senate Special Committee on the Protection of Women’s Sports that Jones introduced last year. It revealed that SB 1 was formally introduced Monday by State Senator Greg Dolezal (R-Forsyth).
Jones shared a portion of his statement from the press release to the social media platform X, stating, “I will never waver in the fight to protect our sisters and our daughters participating on equal footing in Georgia sports. I look forward to Senate Bill 1 becoming law and the protection of women’s sports becoming a reality for all female athletes in Georgia.”
He also stated, “Biological men do not belong in women’s sports, period,” and added, “This is common sense to everyone but the most radical liberals in Georgia. The Senate has always led the way on protecting women’s sports and with Senate Bill 1, we will continue to be on the right side of this common-sense issue.”
According to Jones’ office, the legislation will require all middle schools, high schools, and colleges in Georgia to specify sports teams are exclusively for men or women, or co-ed, based on the student’s gender at birth.
His office explained, “Males would not be allowed to participate in any interscholastic competition on any team that is designated as female. Any student will be allowed to participate on a male or co-ed team. The bill also requires separate restrooms and changing areas at athletic events and establishes a grievance procedure.”
Should the legislation pass, Georgia would join 26 states that have already prohibited transgender students from participating in sports teams that do not correspond to their biological gender.
Jones announced the legislation as he is widely expected to launch a gubernatorial campaign, with recent reports indicating he will wait until the legislative session concludes.
Should the lieutenant governor declare his candidacy to succeed Governor Brian Kemp, who is prevented from seeking another term by the Georgia Constitution, he would join Attorney General Chris Carr in the race for the Republican Party’s nomination.
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Tom Pappert is the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star, and also reports for The Pennsylvania Daily Star and The Arizona Sun Times. Follow Tom on X/Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
