Georgia’s Republican Governor Brian Kemp is expected to sign new legislation into state law to ban male athletes from competing in female sports.
The Georgia legislature passed S.B. 1, also known as the “Riley Gaines Act of 2025,” on Monday along mostly party lines.
The bill prohibits “transgender women” – males – from participating in girls’ sports.
It requires middle school, high school, and college student athletes to compete on sports teams that align with their biological sex and not their “gender identity.”
Restrooms, locker rooms, and sleeping quarters will also be restricted to only allow biological males in the spaces designated for boys and biological females in the spaces designated for girls.
After being passed by state lawmakers, the bill now heads to Gov. Kemp’s desk.
Kemp is expected to sign the legislation into state law.
The measure was a priority for House Speaker Jon Burns and Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, both of whom are Republicans.
In a statement to Fox 5 Atlanta, Burns said:
“The General Assembly sent a clear message—biological men are not welcome in girls’ sports or spaces here in Georgia.”
Jones said the General Assembly “made a historic step toward achieving a critical goal for this session, the protection of women’s sports,” according to the outlet.
“I want to thank all of the brave women and girls who shared their personal stories and helped shape this legislation,” Jones continued.
“Their courage is commendable and ensures that the rights of female athletes are preserved and protected by law.
“I look forward to standing with Gov. Brian Kemp, Speaker Jon Burns, and female athletes with their families around the state when the ‘Riley Gaines Act of 2025’ is signed into law.”
The bill is named after Riley Gaines, a former collegiate swimmer.
She was put into the national public spotlight when she criticized the participation of males in girls’ sports after she competed against Lia Thomas.
Gaines and other real female athletes were forced to share a locker room with Thomas, a male swimmer who claims to be a “transwoman.”
“Such a tremendous honor,” Gaines wrote on X after the bill passed the Georgia House and Senate on Monday.
“There are few causes more worthy than protecting opportunities for the next generation.”
More than 25 other states already prohibit males from participating in girls’ sports.
The measure was passed on “Transgender Day of Visibility.”
