Nevada bars transgender athletes from girls’ sports; Georgia could be next

Two more states are taking action to prevent transgender athletes from competing in girls’ sports.

The Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association (NIAA) announced Tuesday it will no longer allow athletes to compete on high school sports teams based on their so-called “gender identity.” Instead, the sporting body will require them to compete based on their anatomical sex listed on an unaltered, original birth certificate.

The NIAA voted nearly unanimously to change the policy, bringing the body into compliance with President Donald Trump’s executive order to the same effect. Trump’s February decree ordered federal agencies to withhold funding from noncompliant states and schools, which is already happening in Maine.

“I commend the NIAA for taking this important and courageous step,” Republican Lt. Gov. Stavros Anthony said in a release. “Today’s vote sends a clear message: Nevada values and protects opportunities for female athletes. Girls deserve a level playing field, and this action helps ensure they can compete, grow, and succeed without having to compromise safety or fairness.”

Nevada had allowed trans athletes to compete in girls’ sports since 2014. 

The move comes as Georgia is on the verge of banning transgender-identifying athletes from competing in girls’ sports. 

Both chambers of the Georgia Legislature passed identical versions of the Riley Gaines Act Monday, sending it to Gov. Brian Kemp, a Republican who opposes transgender athletes in girls’ sports. 

The measure would prevent male athletes from competing in K-12 girls’ sports and using female-designated facilities, including bathrooms and locker rooms at schools and colleges. It would also replace “gender” with “sex” in state law and base the definition on biology, not so-called “gender identity.” 

Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, a Republican, thanked the female athletes who supported the legislation. 

“Their courage is commendable and ensures that the rights of female athletes are preserved and protected by law,” Jones said in a release. “I look forward to standing with Governor 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.” 

Burns, the House speaker, called the bill a “common-sense” measure. 

“Today, the General Assembly sent a clear message – biological men are not welcome in girls’ sports or spaces here in Georgia,” said Burns, R-Newington, in a release. 

“We’re grateful for the support of our colleagues in the Senate who worked alongside us to restore much-needed common sense to athletic competition, and to Riley Gaines who lent us her name and support in the fight to protect Georgia’s athletes,” he added. 

Once Kemp signs the bill into law, 32 states will have policies preventing the unfair practice. 

The Trump administration has launched investigations into several states that have not complied with his order, including California, Oregon, Minnesota, Massachusetts and Washington.  

Maine’s was the first investigation the administration completed, finding it to be in violation of Title IX. 

Nationally, about 80% of Americans oppose allowing men to compete in women’s sports, although some blue states continue to allow the practice.