Grand Canyon Times

The Republican-led Arizona Legislature is urging the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene after the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals blocked Arizona's law prohibiting biological males from competing in female-only sports. 

Lawmakers argue that the ruling poses a threat to the integrity of women's sports.

"We cannot remain silent and allow these wrongs against women and girls to continue," said State Senate President Warren Petersen. "We must stand up and fight to protect our daughters, nieces, sisters, and granddaughters from bigger and stronger males who are claiming their identities, their private spaces, their sports, and are putting their safety at risk."

"What's even more disheartening is that we have a Democratic Governor and Attorney General that claim to support women, but they refuse to keep boys out of girls' sports," Petersen said. "Republicans stand in solidarity to defend women and girls, and I'm confident the U.S. Supreme Court will make it clear- Arizona's Save Women's Sports Act should be enforced."

The Save Women's Sports Act, signed into law in 2022, aimed to create a level playing field for female athletes in Arizona's schools, colleges, and universities. This legislation was a response to a nationwide trend where biological males were perceived to be taking athletic opportunities from females and compromising their safety in competitions.

In 2023, a progressive advocacy group filed a lawsuit against the state on behalf of two boys taking puberty blockers, who sought to join girls' sports teams. Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes chose not to defend the law in court, prompting Senate President Warren Petersen to step in and advocate for women's rights. This led to a protracted legal battle, culminating in September 2024, when a three-judge panel of the Ninth Circuit ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, upholding an injunction against the law.

Petersen, along with House Speaker Ben Toma and Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne, filed a cert petition with the Supreme Court, asking the justices to review the case. They highlighted that over two dozen states have successfully enacted similar laws aimed at preserving the integrity of female sports.