Riley Gaines Act: New Dynamics for Student-Athlete Equality in Georgia

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed the Riley Gaines Act into law, requiring student-athletes to compete on teams matching their biological sex, setting off a new chapter in the national debate over transgender participation in sports.

Key Takeaways

The Riley Gaines Act mandates that K-12 students and college athletes in Georgia must compete on teams matching their biological sex, not gender identity.
The law requires schools to designate sports teams as male, female, or coed and restricts access to restrooms, locker rooms, and sleeping quarters based on biological sex.
Over 25 other states have passed similar legislation prohibiting transgender athletes from competing in female sports.
Named after former collegiate swimmer Riley Gaines, who tied with transgender swimmer Lia Thomas in 2022, the law aims to “restore fairness” in women’s athletics.
Polling shows over 70% of Georgia voters support requiring athletes to compete according to birth certificate sex.

Governor Kemp Signs Landmark Legislation

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed Senate Bill 1, officially known as the “Riley Gaines Act of 2025.” The legislation makes it illegal for transgender student-athletes to play on school sports teams according to their gender identity rather than their biological sex. The law applies to all public K-12 schools, colleges, universities, and private teams competing against public teams throughout Georgia. The measure was a legislative priority for House Speaker Jon Burns and Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones, both Republicans, and will take effect on July 1.

GA Gov Brian Kemp signs SB 1, the Riley Gaines Act, into law. It prevents men from playing in women's sports and entering women's locker rooms.

Common sense is making a comeback. pic.twitter.com/6Gf3BPPr4Z

— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) April 28, 2025

The Namesake and Broader Context

The legislation is named after Riley Gaines, a former University of Kentucky swimmer who has become an advocate for women’s sports after tying with transgender swimmer Lia Thomas at the 2022 NCAA Championships. Despite the tie, the trophy was awarded to Thomas, sparking controversy. Gaines has since become a prominent voice opposing transgender participation in women’s sports. Georgia joins more than 25 other states that have enacted similar prohibitions on biological males participating in female sports competitions.

Scope and Requirements of the Law

The bill, sponsored by Republican State Senator Greg Dolezal, requires schools to designate sports teams as male, female, or coed. Under the new law, transgender athletes must play according to their birth-assigned gender rather than their gender identity. Additionally, schools must enforce policies requiring transgender students to use facilities such as restrooms, locker rooms, and sleeping quarters according to their biological sex as indicated on their birth certificate. This marks the second time in three years that Governor Kemp has signed legislation addressing transgender participation in sports.

National Implications

Georgia’s action comes amid a broader national debate about transgender participation in sports. In February 2025, President Trump signed an executive order to investigate and potentially withhold federal funding from schools allowing men to compete in women’s sports, citing potential Title IX violations. The Riley Gaines Act represents Georgia’s contribution to this ongoing national conversation about balancing inclusion with competitive fairness in athletic competitions, reflecting a growing legislative trend across conservative-led states to establish policies based on biological sex rather than gender identity.