The Sconi

Scott Walker, former Governor of Wisconsin, said that federal Title IX protections should apply based on biological sex and urged the federal government to enforce this standard in women's sports. The statement was made on X.

"The law is clear," said Walker. "Title IX protects women in higher education; legally based on sex, not gender identity. The law must be upheld. Men must not be allowed to compete in women's sports."

In Maine, debates over Title IX enforcement have intensified following a federal lawsuit challenging the state’s policies on transgender athletes in school sports. According to the Associated Press, the lawsuit, filed during the Trump administration, argues that allowing transgender girls to compete in girls' sports violates Title IX protections. Maine officials, including Governor Janet Mills and Attorney General Aaron Frey, defend their approach as compliant with both federal and state anti-discrimination laws. The case reflects broader national tensions over how Title IX applies to gender identity.

As of late 2024, NCAA President Charlie Baker said that fewer than ten transgender athletes were participating among the 510,000 college athletes nationwide. This figure underscores how rare transgender athlete participation is at the collegiate level. According to PBS NewsHour, the statistic is often cited in debates to contextualize concerns about competitive fairness in women’s sports. It suggests the actual number of transgender athletes remains minimal despite public discourse.

A study by the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law found that transgender individuals make up no more than 1.3% of college athletes, reflecting a very small portion of participants in women’s sports. The analysis indicates that the overall impact of transgender athletes on competitive outcomes is statistically negligible. As reported by the Williams Institute, this data is used to inform policy decisions and legal interpretations of Title IX across various states.

Walker served as the 45th Governor of Wisconsin from 2011 to 2019 and is best known for Act 10, a controversial law that curtailed collective bargaining rights for public workers, including educators. According to One Wisconsin Now, Walker’s tenure focused heavily on education reform, including expanding school choice and proposing lifetime licenses for teachers. His policies drew national attention and set a precedent for conservative education reform efforts across the country.