Congressman Colin Allred of Texas, who is running for the U.S. Senate, released a campaign ad stating he doesn’t want boys playing girls’ sports, in response to attacks from his opponent, Ted Cruz. However, Allred has a legislative history of supporting bills that would enable transgender biological males to participate in women’s sports at the youth and collegiate levels. He has been an opponent of state laws preventing transgender inclusion in women’s sports and has cosponsored laws allowing biologically male athletes who identify as transgender to compete on girls’ sports teams.
Allred’s support for transgender inclusion in women’s sports dates back to his first year in office when he cosponsored and voted for the Equality Act, which would require schools to include male athletes who identify as transgender girls on female sports teams. He has continued to support similar efforts, including a revised version of the Equality Act and legislation advocating for transgender rights. Allred has also criticized legislation restricting transgender student athletes from playing on school sports teams that align with their gender identity, calling it discriminatory and harmful.
In response to questions about his stance on transgender athletes in women’s sports, Allred’s campaign manager accused Ted Cruz of resorting to desperate attacks and lies in his campaign for reelection. Transgender inclusion in women’s sports has become a significant issue in the 2024 election cycle, with a majority of respondents opposing trans athletes participating in sports leagues that correspond to their preferred gender identity. Former President Trump and his wife Melania have both spoken out against allowing biological men in women’s sports. Meanwhile, the Biden-Harris administration has taken actions to enable transgender inclusion, including issuing a rule clarifying that Title IX protections cover discrimination based on gender identity.
The Biden administration’s rule has been controversial, with experts warning that it could result in more biological men participating in women’s sports. The Supreme Court rejected a Biden emergency request to enforce portions of the rule that provide protection for transgender students under Title IX, after Republican attorneys general sued to block the changes in their states. The debate over transgender inclusion in women’s sports continues to be a divisive issue, with Allred’s support for such inclusion contrasting with the views of some politicians and the public.
