Press Items: Senator Lois W. Kolkhorst

(AUSTIN, TX) — Texas State Senator Lois W. Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) today praised the United States Supreme Court's historic ruling in Little v. Hecox and West Virginia v. B.P.J., calling the decision a decisive victory for women, girls, and the integrity of Title IX.

The Court's ruling affirms the authority of states to protect women's athletic competition based on biological sex, bringing long-awaited clarity to an issue that has been hotly debated nationwide for nearly a decade and seen biological males dominate many athletic events set up for female competition.

In 2017, Senator Kolkhorst was one of the nation’s first lawmakers to take on this issue, authoring the Privacy Act and pushing the Texas Legislature to become among the first states to address the concerns surrounding biological males competing in women's sports and accessing women's private spaces.

“At the time, opponents dismissed this issue as ‘a solution looking for a problem,’ and mocked Lt. Governor Dan Patrick and me for our efforts in protecting women’s rights in sports and in private, intimate spaces,” said Kolkhorst in her remarks after the ruling. “Time proved our critics wrong because this debate has never been about politics. Today’s ruling confirms that this issue has always been about states providing opportunities for women and girls and protecting them from danger and indignity. As I argued in 2017, this has always been a Title IX defense."

The Senator noted that the Supreme Court's decision protects the original intent of Title IX and preserves fair competition for female athletes.

"Today, this issue has been put to rest. Women's sports have been protected," Kolkhorst said, a former collegiate student-athlete. "As I have said before, human rights are women’s rights and this was one of the greatest attacks on women's rights in modern American history. The Court's ruling reminds us that fairness matters and that women deserve equal opportunities to compete, succeed, and excel."

Kolkhorst said the ruling ensures that future generations of girls can pursue their athletic dreams without fear of losing opportunities intended for female competitors.

"Little girls across America can continue dreaming of becoming college and professional athletes without the threat of someone born male taking away those opportunities," she said.

Senator Kolkhorst credited Lieutenant Governor Patrick, President Donald Trump, and countless advocates, parents, coaches, and especially female athletes who stood firmly and bravely through years of the debate.

"I am honored to have led on this issue alongside Lieutenant Governor Patrick and other groups like Texas Values and many local pastors," Kolkhorst said. "It was not an easy fight. I received death threats and constant ridiculing because of my work on this legislation, but as a former athlete myself, I always knew it was the right thing to do. Common sense prevails.

"While the road was long, today's decision is a victory for women, a victory for fairness, and a victory for the future of girls' sports across America."

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