in the U.S. in 2023, a separate report found.
LGBTQ+ advocates have decried Senate Bill 15, which was formally signed into law in June, as both unconstitutional and cruel. It takes effect on Sept. 1 and mirrors a law passed in 2021 targeting trans athletes in K-12 sports. While opponents of SB 15 say it punches down at transgender athletes, its supporters argue that such competitors have an unfair advantage.
Former college swimmers Riley Gaines and Paula Scanlan sat on either side of Abbott during Monday’s ceremonial signing in the TWU library. Several Texas GOP lawmakers stood behind them. Gaines rose to prominence as an activist after tying with transgender athlete Lia Thomas for fifth place in the NCAA championship’s 200-yard freestyle last year.
“When Gov. Abbott signed the Save Women’s Sports Act this summer, he sent a message to approximately 15 million Texan women that they will be treated fairly on the playing fields, in the sport arenas and inside the locker rooms,” Gaines said during the signing ceremony. “Governor Abbott, thank you for respecting our right to fair play, safe spaces and privacy.