Nevada Lt. Gov. Launches Task Force to Preserve Fairness in Women’s Sports

Nevada Lieutenant Governor Stavros Anthony has announced the formation of the “Lieutenant Governor’s Task Force to Protect Women’s Sports,” a bold initiative aimed at ensuring fairness and competition integrity by addressing the controversial inclusion of transgender athletes in women’s sports. Anthony emphasized that this effort is not about opposing transgender individuals but about upholding the importance of biological sex in competitive athletics.

“I wanted a laser-focused approach to make sure we ban biological men from competing in women’s sports,” Anthony stated. The task force seeks to develop policies that prioritize fairness, protect women’s athletic opportunities, and maintain the competitive integrity of sports in Nevada.

The move follows growing national debates and a high-profile controversy involving the University of Nevada, Reno’s volleyball team, which forfeited a game in protest of a transgender player. Anthony pointed to this incident as a wake-up call to address the issue proactively.

The 11-member task force, chaired by former college athlete and Henderson resident Marshi Smith, includes notable Republican figures such as Sen. Carrie Buck, Assemblyman Bert Gurr, and Washoe County Commissioner Clara Andriola. Buck is drafting legislation to create co-ed leagues and increase transparency, requiring female leagues to disclose if transgender women are competing.

While supporters argue the initiative is essential to preserving fairness for biological women, LGBTQ advocacy groups have pushed back. Andre Wade, director of Silver State Equality, criticized the task force as “a political move” that risks harming students’ mental health. The ACLU’s Athar Haseebullah dismissed the effort as part of broader “culture wars,” arguing that transgender athletes are rare in Nevada sports.

Despite the criticism, Anthony and task force members remain committed to their mission. “This isn’t about exclusion,” Anthony said. “This is about creating fair and equitable opportunities for all athletes.”

The debate comes amid a national backdrop of divided opinion. Over half of U.S. states have enacted restrictions on transgender athletes, and President-Elect Donald Trump has promised to address the issue through executive action, signaling that the conversation is far from over.

Source: Review-Journal