On February 5, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order that bans biological males from competing in women’s sports. The order, titled “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports,” aims to preserve the fairness and safety of women’s athletics, asserting that allowing biological men to participate in women’s sports is “demeaning, unfair, and dangerous” and denies women equal opportunities in competitive sports.
During the signing ceremony, held in the White House’s East Room, President Trump emphasized his commitment to defending female athletes, stating, “We will not allow men to beat up, injure and cheat our women and our girls. From now on, women’s sports will be only for women.” The order underscores that educational institutions receiving federal funding must comply with Title IX, which mandates equal opportunities for women in sports.
The executive order also directs the U.S. State Department to press the International Olympic Committee to revise its policies, ensuring that eligibility for women’s events is based on biological sex, rather than gender identity or testosterone levels. The move is part of a broader effort to pressure organizations like the NCAA and the Olympic Committee to align with the administration’s stance on women’s sports.
While the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has yet to comment, Bishop Robert Barron previously praised similar initiatives aimed at protecting minors from gender reassignment procedures, aligning with the administration’s broader stance on gender-related issues.
This executive order marks a significant step in the ongoing debate over gender identity and fairness in sports, with President Trump positioning himself as a defender of women’s rights in athletic competition.
