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Davis Journal

Utah Representatives stand up for and support women’s sports

Stock photo.

In conjunction, representatives released the following statement: 

 “We, the undersigned representatives in the state of Utah, call upon the leadership of our academic institutions to perform their responsibilities and duty of care to female student athletes. 

 “Recent events have demonstrated the need for Utah’s elected officials to defend the rights of girls and women in scholastic sport at the high school and collegiate levels. Utah’s NCAA member institutions are currently subject to misguided and discriminatory NCAA rules which allow male athletes to compete on women’s sports teams. These rules defy science and commonsense while violating state and federal law (Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972). The regressive, discriminatory, unfair, and hurtful impact on women of the NCAA’s policies and of similar rules of other organizations cannot be overemphasized.

 “We commend and stand with the young women in our state, refusing to compete where their rights to equal opportunity and a safe and level playing field are being violated. We are grateful for our University administrators who stood beside our women athletes. The leaders of Utah's institutions, particularly those receiving public support and funding, must defend the rights of female athletes to a safe, level playing field and equal opportunity. Our institutions have the responsibility to assure young women of this basic level of respect and protection. It is unconscionable that we should be placing our female athletes in the position to defend themselves when this responsibility falls squarely on the shoulders of the leaders of their institutions.

 “As House Representatives, we commit to a thorough review of all Utah laws and regulations to recommend all changes necessary to prevent discrimination against women (defined by biological sex alone) caused by a man competing against women in any public athletic competition in Utah. We commit to ensuring Utah public officials in leadership positions are committed to fulfilling their duties to defend the rights of female student athletes. We appreciate and encourage the Utah Attorney General vigorously defending the rights of women athletes on Utah teams and at all public events in Utah.”

Rep. Kera Birkeland

Rep. Jefferson Moss

Rep. Casey Snider

Rep. Mike Peterson

Rep. Stephanie Gricius

Rep. Jordan Teuscher

Rep. Cory Maloy

Rep. Tyler Clancy

Rep. Matt MacPherson

Rep. Walter Brooks

Rep. Christine Watkins

Rep. Carl Albrecht

Rep. Tim Jimenez

Rep. Trevor Lee

Rep. Dan Johnson

Rep. Katy Hall

Rep. Neil Walter

Rep. Susan Pulsipher

Rep. Brady Brammer

Rep. Colin Jack

Rep. Mark Strong

Rep. Jefferson Burton

Rep. Cheryl Acton

Rep. Jason Kyle

Rep. Bridger Bolinder

Rep. Paul Cutler

Rep. Val Peterson

Rep. Jim Dunnigan

Rep. Karianne Lisonbee

Rep. Matt Gwynn

Rep. Rex Shipp

Rep. Nelson Abbott

Rep. Thomas Peterson

Rep. Scott Chew

Rep. Ken Ivory

Rep. Melissa Ballard

Rep. Steve Lund

Rep. Kay Christoffersonλ