LG Stavros Anthony Calls on Mountain West Conference To Support and Protect Female Athletes

Nevada Lt. Governor Stavros Anthony has sent a letter to Commissioner Gloria Nevarez encouraging her to protect female athletes in the Mountain West Conference by establishing a clear policy that prohibits biological males from competing against female athletes.

In his letter posted on X, Anthony notes that several women volleyball teams within the Mountain West Conference have prioritized the safety of their female athletes by forfeiting numerous games. Anthony also cites Title IX as the basis to ensure equal opportunities for female athletes.

The Mountain West Conference must support and protect our female athletes. pic.twitter.com/brasWUZVHD

— Stavros Anthony (@StavrosAnthony) November 22, 2024

Text of the letter:

Ms. Nevarez;

I am writing to express my deep concern regarding the current standards of safety and fair competition for female athletes in the Mountain West Conference. I strongly urge you to review and update the student-athlete guidelines to prevent biological males from competing against biological females in women’s sports.

Title IX, established over fifty years ago, was a groundbreaking law aimed at ensuring equal opportunities for women in education and athletics. While it has successfully leveled the playing field for female athletes, recent developments threaten the fairness and safety of women’s sports. In recent weeks, several women volleyball teams within the Mountain West Conference have forfeited games to prioritize the safety of their female athletes. This situation has risen from the Mountain West Conference’s lack of a clear policy that prohibits biological males from competing in women’s sports.

This failure undermines the integrity of collegiate competition and is unfair to the female athletes who have dedicated years of training and sacrifice to reach this level of competition. This failure undermines the integrity of collegiate competition and is unfair to the female athletes who have dedicated years of training and sacrifice to reach this level of competition.

I would like to acknowledge the courage and bravery of the athletes who have spoken out, particularly the University of Nevada, Reno Women’s Volleyball team, for standing up to preserve the principles of Title IX when the Conference itself has not.

Title IX was designed to recognize and respect the biological differences between men and women, ensuring that both genders can participate in educational programs and sports on an equal footing. To ignore these differences is not only unjust but also places the safety and well-being of female athletes at risk.

The Mountain West Conference must do more to create a safe environment where women can compete without fear of injury or being overshadowed by unfair competition. As Lieutenant Governor of Nevada-and as a parent and grandparent—I strongly urge you to take immediate action to address this growing concern. We must safeguard the future of women’s sports, ensuring that they remain fair, competitive, and safe for all female athletes.

Last year, Governor Joe Lombardo joined eight other GOP governors and sent a letter to the NCAA in response to a recently enacted NCAA transgender policy which allows the individual governing body of each sport to determine criteria for eligibility. Their letter urges the association to “rewrite your Transgender Student Athlete Policy to protect, preserve, and encourage fairness in women’s athletics.”

Lt. Governor Anthony has been a vocal supporter of the UNR women’s volleyball team who forfeited a match against San Jose State University due to their transgender player Blaire Fleming. Following the forfeit, the UNR women’s volleyball team held a rally featuring Riley Gaines. Lt. Governor Anthony spoke at the rally to “save women’s sports” and indicated he would advocate for related legislation when the legislature convenes in February.