A raucous round of applause mingles with the high-pitched chattering of voices. Sneakers and heels alike shuffle on the tile floors of the White House, as frenzied attendees move to their spots. Girls and women alike watch with bated breath as the 37th Annual National Girls and Women in Sports Day reaches a long-awaited climax. President Donald J. Trump signs the executive order “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports” to promote safety and equality for all women, Feb. 5.

As an editorial team comprised of student-athletes, we celebrate alongside the country, considering this legislative intervention a triumph on behalf of all women. 

For several decades, females experienced opportunity and found refuge under the protections of Title IX. Originating in 1972 as a clause under the Federal Education Amendment, Title IX stated:

Title IX was created to grant women in educational institutions protection from sexual harassment, and equal opportunities in core STEM classes and athletics. A controversial and progressive action at the time, Title IX was subject to backlash and outrage but stood strong for generations, fulfilling its ultimate goal: to protect women. 

In recent years, however, the historic law was upended, leaving female athletes vulnerable, as the clause was extended to include “gender identity.” The small addendum now authorized transgender athletes the option to participate with the male or female team of their choosing. On top of this, schools were required to add “gender-neutral” facilities. Federally funded educational institutions were then coerced into complying with the new rule or risk preceding without government aid. 

As a privately funded institution, Fresno Christian was not required to adhere to the revision. That did not prevent us from exposure to its changes. With more than 75% of our student population participating in athletics, it was inevitable that our athletes would face transgender opponents competing in their league. Usually, the FC athletic personnel had no prior knowledge of the transgender athletes’ inclusion until arriving at the game, ultimately putting our faculty and athletes in an uncomfortable situation. 

Merely months under the revised title, it was noticeable that the only athletes benefiting from the gender-swapping legalities were biological males participating in women’s leagues. Cases like transgender NCAA swimmer Lia Thomas began to hit public news as transgender athletes nationwide were thrust into the spotlight to show inclusion while biological women were asked to step aside and watch.  

Along with the compromising of morals and merit, this particular situation illuminated the loss of privacy women faced when the biological males were invited into the locker rooms without the female athlete’s consent, as spoken out by Thomas’ competitor Riley Gains. 

It took the jeopardy of women’s safety to turn the tide. On multiple occasions, female athletes in contact sports were brutally injured by their competitors, who simply had a biological advantage that proved to be unsafe. In the case of high school volleyball player Payton McNabb, a rogue spike from a transgender opponent left her with a life-altering injury. That single game was a swift end to any potential ambition McNabb had to play collegiate-level volleyball, but her tragedy invoked a spark in the conversations surrounding female rights once more. To further understand the radical rewrite and its repercussions read Column: Title IX changes do not protect all.

This was no longer about the political divide, between “Radical Democrats” and “Bigot Republicans,” but people of both sides speaking out for necessary change. Even members of the transgender community, including public figure, Caitlyn Jenner, spoke out that they were “taking valuable positions” from biological women and “causing physical harm.” Change was no longer requested but required. 

The first step towards progress came when the rewrite of Title IX was overturned by the Supreme Court in a 5-4 decision, Aug. 16, 2024. The verdict banned the use of federal funds that required schools to allow biological men into women’s sports, which included bathrooms and locker rooms. 

This was a pivotal victory for the women of this generation. More than that, it was an accolade owed to the millions of females who came before and originally fought fiercely for those very rights. Their endeavors were not in vain. 

However, there were still loopholes that would continue to leave women’s leagues vulnerable if further legal action was not taken. The 2024 presidential election turned out to be the second catalyst for change when Trump was reelected for his second term after a four-year hiatus. Under the administration’s ambitions for the upcoming term, a focus has been placed on reinstating the reality lost in contemporary gender views. 

These words were punctuated by the executive action taken this February that banned biological men from competing in women’s sports for the foreseeable future. The executive order reissued women’s rights and reintroduced to the country the reality of only two genders: male and female. This was a controversial topic consistently shied away from by politicians who feared the repercussions of “cancel culture,” as speaking out against the societal norm was met with online outrage. 

We find it vital and admirable that individual “truths” were no longer held in greater regard than the actual truth. As a newspaper driven by biblical truths, we acknowledge the Word of God as authoritative and definitive. Genesis 1:27 says that God made each person either male or female in the likeness of Him.

There are biological differences between the two genders ordained by God at birth, none making one sex superior to the other, but rather emphasizing God’s beautiful diversity displayed in creation. The two are designed to be complementary to one another, not compelled into rivalry on the whims of misguided political ideology. 

Biological sex can not be completely altered or chosen, despite the illusion medical options offer. At the end of our lives, when physical appearances are decomposed, and voices are unable to demand the use of different pronouns, simple biology will attest to the reality of one’s given sex. 

The Bible gives us the parameters of two sexes that we must not disregard. We can not sit by and watch while the world projects statements that are completely contradictory to the values of our faith. It is our responsibility to speak truth in love, standing up for what is right even when it is not easy. So we, alongside the numerous members of this movement, rise for all women and stay standing to honor the fight they have faced. 

For more from The Feather’s Opinions section read Editorial: Black History still matters or Column: A student-journalist’s journey on Central Valley Honor Flight #30.

Catch up on the BHM features with Black History Month Spotlight: Dr. Deshunna Monay Ricks inspires local community or Black History Month Spotlight: Bishop Dewayne Coleman impacts various communities with ministries.