Texas Saves Girls' Sports
26 October 2021
Media Contact:
Quentin L. Van Meter, MD, FCP, President
connect@acpeds.org
(352) 376-1877
The American College of Pediatricians (ACPeds) thanks Governor Gregory Abbott for protecting the health and safety of female athletes in the State of Texas.
Yesterday, October 25th, Governor Abbott signed the Save Women’s Sports House Bill 25 into law. This law protects female athletes in public elementary schools through college from being forced to compete against biological males – a situation that due to innate physical advantages of males – not only places females at risk of physical harm but also at risk for losing championships or scholarship opportunities provided by Title IX. Texas law now reflects the biological reality in sports that males are bigger, stronger, and faster than females when matched for athletic training.
The American College of Pediatricians (ACPeds) Position Statement, Sex is a Biological Trait of Medical Significance, provides scientific evidence in support of this and similar laws.
“Among humans, sex is a dimorphic, innate and immutable trait established at fertilization by sex-determining genes located on the X and Y chromosomes. This sexual dimorphism is genetically programmed and is present in every nucleated somatic cell of the body; sex does not and cannot change.”
Dr. Michelle Cretella, Executive Director of ACPeds, elaborated,
“Due to a combination of genetics and sex hormones, males are bigger, stronger and faster than females. Males are also more aggressive than females. Males who self-identify as female, including those who take estrogen, remain genetically male and therefore have no objective reason -- let alone a right -- to share restrooms and locker rooms, or to be housed with or competing against females.”
Texas is the ninth state to enshrine basic science in law and protect female athletes. ACPeds similarly commends the states of Idaho, Arkansas, Mississippi, Montana, Alabama, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Florida, which preceded Texas in protecting female athletes with the passage of similar science-based laws.
For more information, please view the position statement: Sex is a Biological Trait of Medical Significance
Sexuality Issues of Youth
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Sex is a Biological Trait of Medical Significance
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Sex Differences are Necessary for Health and Equality
About the American College of Pediatricians
The American College of Pediatricians (ACPeds) is a national medical association of licensed physicians and healthcare professionals who specialize in the care of infants, children, and adolescents. It was founded by a group of concerned physicians who saw the need for a pediatric organization that would not be influenced by the politically driven pronouncements of the day. The mission of the ACPeds is to enable all children to reach their optimal physical and emotional health and well-being. The ACPeds is committed to fulfilling its mission by producing sound policy, based upon the best available research, to assist parents and to influence society in the endeavor of childrearing.