Landmark Bills Seek to Uphold Traditional Definitions in Marriage and Sports
U.S. Sens. Cynthia Lummis and John Barrasso are among the cosponsors of a federal transgender sports ban. (Getty Images; Matt Idler for Cowboy State Daily)
Across the United States, a wave of conservative legislative action is challenging recent changes in societal norms. On January 7, 2025, Republican lawmakers introduced a series of bills aimed at restoring traditional values, with a focus on defining marriage and protecting women’s sports from what they see as the growing influence of transgender athletes. These moves reflect a broader ideological push from conservatives to uphold what they consider natural definitions of gender and marriage.
The first major development occurred in California, where lawmakers introduced a bill designed to bar transgender athletes from competing in women’s high school sports. This bill, backed by conservatives, posits that transgender women—biological males identifying as female—have an undeniable physical advantage in certain sports. Proponents argue that such competition undermines fairness and equal opportunity for cisgender female athletes. The bill is part of a growing movement in the U.S. to protect women’s sports from what many conservatives view as the unfair advantage transgender women may have in certain athletic categories.
In Idaho, state lawmakers have moved forward with legislation seeking to restore the traditional definition of marriage, which would again prohibit same-sex marriages within the state. The bill is a direct response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark 2015 ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges, which legalized same-sex marriage across the nation. Supporters of this new legislation argue that the redefinition of marriage undermines the institution’s traditional, religious, and natural foundations. Opponents, however, warn that such a bill could potentially spark costly legal battles and damage LGBTQ+ rights protections.
In Washington D.C., U.S. Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) joined Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) in introducing a new bill aimed at ensuring Title IX continues to protect women’s sports. This legislation dubbed the “Preservation of Title IX” Act, would ensure that transgender women, or biological males, are prohibited from participating in women’s athletic competitions. This move directly challenges the Biden administration’s interpretation of Title IX, which has extended protections to transgender athletes. For conservatives, the bill is seen as a necessary step to preserve the integrity of women’s sports, maintaining a distinction between men’s and women’s categories in athletics.
These recent legislative actions represent a strong conservative stance on issues of gender and marriage, reflecting a resistance to recent shifts in the legal and social landscapes. While proponents argue that these measures are necessary to protect women’s sports and uphold the sanctity of marriage, critics contend that they represent a step backward for LGBTQ+ rights. The outcome of these bills will likely continue to spark intense debate, highlighting the deep ideological divide on these issues.
