Pennsylvania State Senator Lindsey Williams (D-Pittsburgh) stirred controversy during a committee debate over the proposed Save Women’s Sports Act (Senate Bill 9) by stating, “Female bodies are just as strong, as fast and capable as male bodies.”
The Democratic lawmaker made these remarks while opposing the bill, which aims to prevent transgender athletes from competing in girls’ sports categories. Williams questioned the necessity of the legislation, asking, “For what reason, other than political gain, are we spending time and taxpayer dollars on a completely made-up issue?”
Williams, who described herself as a former three-sport high school athlete, argued that the bill targets a minimal number of students. “There are 8 million high school athletes across the country and maybe 160 of them are trans,” she stated. “This is the fifth time we are voting on this bill that targets less than .002% of high school athletes.”
The senator credited her sports participation with developing skills that helped her political career. “Participating in sports gave me the confidence, time management skills, and ability to work collaboratively that led me to run for office,” Williams said, adding, “Absolutely nothing, nothing about having a trans teammate or competitor would have taken those things away from me.”
Despite Williams’ opposition, the Save Women’s Sports Act passed the committee with a 7-4 vote along party lines, with all Republicans supporting the measure and all Democrats opposing it.
Bill co-sponsor Senator Kristin Phillips-Hill defended the legislation during the committee debate, stating, “Women before us successfully fought for equality with educational and athletic opportunity. In Title IX, it was a promise to our daughters and our granddaughters. And SB9 keeps that promise.”
World Athletics announced plans to implement genetic testing for athletes seeking to compete in women’s categories, focusing on the presence of the SRY gene that influences male development.
Supporters of the bill argue it preserves competitive fairness in women’s sports, while opponents like Williams contend it unnecessarily targets a small population of student-athletes and creates solutions for non-existent problems.
Previously, former UFC star Kevin Lee voiced his concerns over transgender athletes competing in women’s MMA. Lee argued that most martial artists oppose trans inclusion due to firsthand knowledge of hormone therapy’s impact on strength, aggression, and mood, which he believes creates an unfair advantage. He compared it to the noticeable effects of PED use, a topic rarely discussed openly in gyms. His statements align with sentiments from notable stars like Demian Maia, Sean O’Malley, Michael Bisping, and Joe Rogan, who have all criticized the practice. The broader MMA community has largely condemned promotions that have allowed trans women to compete against biological females, highlighting ongoing concerns about fairness and safety.
The bill now moves forward in the Pennsylvania legislative process following the committee approval.
