Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen signed a bill prohibiting male athletes from participating in women’s sports in schools. Nebraska has become the 29th state to instill a law basing athletic participation on biological sex.

Introduced in January, the Stand With Women Act acknowledges that “males and females possess unique and immutable differences” that are “enduring.” Passed with a 33-16 vote by state lawmakers in May, the law requires sports teams within both private and public schools and post-secondary institutions to be separated based on sex, if part of an athletic association.

Introduced by Republican Sen. Kathleen Kauth on behalf of Pillen, the act also recognizes that male athletes are faster, stronger and bigger than females.

“Because of the physical differences between males and females,” the law states, “having separate athletic teams based on the sex of the athlete reduces the chance of injury to female athletes, promotes equality between the sexes, provides opportunities for female athletes to compete against their female peers rather than against male athletes, and allows female athletes to compete on a fair playing field for scholarships and other athletic accomplishments.”

Pillen released a statement after his signing. 

“We cannot ignore that girls and women have the right to a level playing field when it comes to sports,” Pillen said. “Otherwise, we are denying them opportunities to compete and win, earn scholarships and develop their own athletic abilities. LB89 ensures they are protected.”

Fighting for the Biblical definition of male and female, legal experts across Christian law firms applauded the ruling.

Erica O’Connell, legal counsel at Alliance Defending Freedom, commended Kauth for leadership regarding the bill’s passing.

“Letting men intrude on women and girls’ sports teams is an invasion of privacy, a threat to their safety, and a denial of the real biological differences between the sexes,” O’Connell said in a press release. “Nebraska is right to ensure that female athletes of all ages have a fair and level playing field and protect the safety and dignity of women and girls.”

Mat Staver, founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel, also reacted.

“This commonsense law protects women and girls by returning Nebraska’s interscholastic sports to the biological reality that men and women are different,” Staver said. “So many female athletes have been competitively, physically and emotionally harmed by policies allowing males into their sports and private spaces. The country has had enough of these hurtful policies and it is time for all states to pass laws protecting women and girls.”

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