Thank you to everyone who testified in support of the Protect Female Athletes Bill this past Tuesday at the State House in Boston! Your compelling arguments and heartfelt stories countered the opposition’s talking points with well-reasoned facts and passionate advocacy for safety and fairness in girls’ sports.
MFI’s Michael King and Sam Whiting testified, making it clear that the bill does not prevent any students from participating in sports. Instead, it ensures that girls can prioritize their safety without fear of repercussion by choosing to sit out a competition when a male is playing on the opposing team. Watch Michael’s testimony below.
A brave female athlete also shared her experience of playing volleyball against a male athlete, highlighting the emotional and physical challenges she and her teammates faced when competing against male opponents. Watch her compelling testimony below.
During the hearing, Rep. Kenneth Gordon, Chair of the Joint Committee on Education, engaged in a confrontational exchange with the bill’s sponsor, Rep. John Gaskey, and Katie Ferreira-Aubin, a school committee member from the Dighton-Rehoboth Regional School District, which recently passed a similar policy. Rep. Gordon frequently interrupted and cut off their responses, making it difficult for them to fully explain the bill’s intent and details. Despite his aggressive questioning, the sponsors maintained their composure and upheld their commitment to fairness in girls’ sports.
One notable moment came when Katie Ferreira-Aubin explained that there has been a 250% increase in boys participating in Massachusetts high school field hockey over eight seasons, raising concerns about the impact on girls’ sports. Despite these facts, Rep. Gordon remained unwilling to seriously consider the evidence in favor of protecting female athletes and ended the hearing by expressing his support for the trans community, incorrectly framing the bill as an attack on transgender athletes.
The fight isn’t over. Legislators still need to hear from you! Please contact your state representatives and senators today to urge them to advance this common-sense legislation.
No girl should be forced to compete in an unfair or unsafe game against male athletes. Currently, Massachusetts law allows boys to play in girls’ school sports when there is no equivalent boys’ team or when a boy identifies as a girl. This bill is about protecting the integrity of girls’ sports and ensuring that female athletes can compete on a level playing field. It’s time to stand up for fairness, safety, and equal opportunities for our daughters.
