Nebraska governor signs bill protecting women’s sports from male competitors

Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen signed legislation Wednesday to ensure biological males can’t compete in girls’ and women’s sports.

During the signing ceremony for LB 89, or the Stand With Women Act, the Republican governor was surrounded by several prominent female athletes, including Riley Gaines and Payton McNabb, who suffered a traumatic brain injury after getting spiked in the head by a male athlete in women’s volleyball.

“This bill is really a big deal for our young people, for our kids, standing up for women, and it’s a big deal standing up for the values of Nebraska,” Pillen said, according to KOLN-TV. “It is time for all Nebraskans, not just the people here, but every one of us in the room, that we get comfortable being uncomfortable,” he added, referencing the act of defying leftist cultural narratives.

Gaines, who has become a leading advocate for girls’ sports since swimming against transgender athlete William “Lia” Thomas in 2022, said she didn’t seek notoriety for herself.

“Nonetheless, it’s a fight that I’m incredibly proud to be a part of. I don’t think there’s, truthfully, a more worthy cause than to be here in Lincoln today with you guys, watching as Nebraska becomes the 28th state to protect women’s sports,” she said, according to WJAG. 

“Congratulations to Nebraskans across the state, to women across the state, all of the work that you all have put in to get this over the finish line,” Gaines continued. “Just feeling incredibly grateful and vindicated today.” 

The measure, which passed the unicameral Legislature 33-16, codifies existing state athletic policy. 

The Nebraska School Activities Association changed its rules in February to ban transgender-identifying males from competing against girls, shortly after President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing federal agencies to withhold funding from states and athletic bodies that allow transgender females to compete in girls’ sports. 

Although about 30 states have similar restrictions, not all have codified them in state law. 

Nebraska’s bill requires students in K-12 and postsecondary schools to play sports according to their legal sex. Coed sports are allowed, and girls may play on boys’ teams if no female alternative exists, KOLN reported. 

Pillen said the legislation was not about transgender rights but about standing up for women. 

“We are protecting all young women in sports,” he said. “It is not biologically adept for a young boy that says, ‘I’m trans,’ and becomes a woman, to compete in sports. It’s just not fair … it’s just not right, it’s not common sense, it’s as simple as that.” 

State Sen. Kathleen Kauth, who sponsored the bill at Pillen’s request, said she would “be back next year” with a bill to ban men from women’s bathrooms and locker rooms. “The work is not done.”