Updated: Arkansas Leaders Respond to SCOTUS Decision Upholding Fairness in Women’s Sports
On June 30, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a good decision upholding state laws that protect fairness in women’s sports.
Several of Arkansas’ leaders issued statements praising the decision.
U.S. Senator John Boozman (R) wrote:
“Today’s Supreme Court ruling was always common sense. Girls deserve a safe and fair environment to compete in, and the Supreme Court was right to protect the integrity of women’s sports. I’m a proud cosponsor of the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act that would ensure schools don’t allow males to share private spaces with females or compete in women’s sports as a condition of federal funding.”
U.S. Senator Tom Cotton (R) wrote:
Arkansas was the first state to protect women’s sports from men pretending to be women. Now, the Supreme Court just UPHELD our right to keep men out of women’s sports. This is a huge win for every Arkansan and for common sense.”
Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R) called the decision, “A victory for common sense. A victory for fairness. A victory for every girl in America.”
Lieutenant Governor Leslie Rutledge said:
“Today’s Supreme Court decision is a victory for common sense, fairness, and women and girls across America. As Attorney General, I was proud to lead the fight in 2021 to protect women’s sports. Female athletes deserve a level playing field and the opportunity to compete fairly. Boys do not belong in girls’ sports. Period.”
Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin said:
“The United States Supreme Court has held that West Virginia’s and Idaho’s laws protecting girls and women in school athletics are lawful. This is a commonsense issue about which the vast majority of Americans agree. The Supreme Court has now affirmed that states are well within their authority to prohibit biological males from competing in girls-only athletic competitions, and laws to that effect do not violate the Constitution or Title IX. I co-led an amicus brief with Attorney General Steve Marshall in support of West Virginia’s law, and I applaud the high court’s ruling today.”
Arkansas Sen. Missy Irvin (R — Mountain View) wrote:
My Fairness in Women’s Sports Act of 2021 is upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court.
A great day for girls and for states like Arkansas that passed legislation protecting girl’s sports!
Former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson (R) also issued a statement, saying:
On March 25, 2021, I signed the Fairness in Women’s Sports bill into law which bans biological males from competing in women’s sports. The Supreme Court today held such laws constitutional. Great news and right decision.
Over the past ten years, female swimmers, powerlifters, cyclists, sprinters, volleyball players, track athletes, and many others have seen their sports radically changed by men who claim to be women.
Concerned Women for America estimates that more than 1,900 male athletes who claim to be female have taken first place medals away from women and girls.
In some sports, letting men compete against women can even be dangerous.
That’s why many states have enacted good laws clarifying that biological males who identify as female cannot compete in women’s athletic programs.
In 2021, Arkansas passed Act 461 by Sen. Missy Irvin (R — Mountain View) and Rep. Sonia Barker (R — Smackover) preventing male student-athletes from competing against girls in women’s athletics at school.
Family Council was pleased to support Act 461 at the state legislature.
Act 461 was never challenged in court — meaning the law has been in full effect for the past five years, protecting fairness in women’s sports in Arkansas. However, the ACLU challenged similar laws in Idaho and West Virginia. By upholding those good laws, the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision makes it clear that Arkansas’ Act 461 of 2021 is constitutional.
Most Americans agree that athletes should compete according to their biological sex — not their gender identity. With that in mind, Tuesday’s Supreme Court decision really is a victory for fairness in women’s sports and a victory for common sense.
Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.
This article has been updated to include statements from Sen. Irvin and former Governor Hutchinson.
