GUEST EDITORIAL: Protecting Girls Sports Through the Riley Gaines Act

By State Representative Josh Bonner (R-Fayetteville) 

(540 words)

In 2022, female athlete Riley Gaines competed in the 200-meter freestyle final at the NCAA Women’s Championships here in Georgia. But when Riley faced the unfairness of competing against a biological male, Lia Thomas (formerly Will Thomas), she witnessed firsthand the consequences of policies that fail to protect women’s sports and spaces. This wasn’t just an unfair competition, it was an attack on equal opportunity, safety and dignity for female athletes. Unfortunately, many female athletes’ hard-earned positions, years of dedication and rightful victories have been stolen, just like Riley’s. This experience led Riley to become a champion for protecting girls’ sports and preserving the integrity of female athletics on a national level.

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Speaker Burns Applauds House Passage of 2025 Legislative Priority: the ‘Riley Gaines Act’

ATLANTA – Today, House Bill 267, the ‘Riley Gaines Act,’ passed out of the House and will now head to the Senate for consideration. HB 267, which would prevent biological males from competing against biological females in girls’ sports at every level throughout Georgia, is a priority bill for House Speaker Jon Burns (R-Newington) during the 2025 legislative session.

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Governor’s Floor Leader Will Wade Co-Sponsors the Riley Gaines Act

ATLANTA – State Representative Will Wade (R-Dawsonville), House Floor Leader for Governor Brian Kemp, recently co-sponsored the Riley Gaines Act, a priority of House Speaker Jon Burns (R-Newington). Sponsored by State Representative Josh Bonner (R-Fayetteville), the Riley Gaines Act would prevent biological males from competing in women’s sports.

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Speaker Jon Burns Announces 2025 Legislative Priority: The Riley Gaines Act

ATLANTA – Today, Speaker Jon Burns (R-Newington) announced a priority bill for the 2025 legislative session—the Riley Gaines Act. Sponsored by Representative Josh Bonner (R-Fayetteville), the Riley Gaines Act protects the integrity and fairness of girls’ sports by preventing biological males from competing in women’s sports.

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House Defense and Veterans Affairs and Senate Veterans, Military and Homeland Security Committees to Hold Next Joint Meeting in Augusta

ATLANTA – The House Defense and Veterans Affairs Committee, chaired by State Representative Josh Bonner (R-Fayetteville), and the Senate Veterans, Military and Homeland Security Committee, chaired by State Senator Chuck Payne (R-Dalton), will hold its next joint meeting on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, at 10 a.m. at the Georgia Cyber Innovation & Training Center in Augusta, Georgia.

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