Fairness in Girls’ Sports Act held up for third time

February 4, 2026

Senator Bryant Richardson

A hearing on Senate Bill 215, the Fairness in Girls’ Sports Act, was held Wednesday, Jan. 28.

I will be writing about what took place for the next two or three weeks. There is a lot to cover.

This week I will be sharing profiles of the well-qualified witnesses who spoke in favor of the bill. 

I will also be sharing the subtle threat that came from someone who signed up to speak on line against the bill and against me.

A poll last year by The New York Times found that 79% of Americans believe men should be barred from competing in women’s sports.

The breakdown includes 94% of Republican respondents, 64% of Independent voters and 67% of Democrats.

Nevertheless, opponents in the hearing room and on line expressed irritation that SB 215 was under consideration. 

This is my third attempt to pass a Fairness in Girls’ Sports Act. Two previous attempts remained locked up in committee.

While I was hopeful this time, committee chair Senator Laura Sturgeon made it clear she is not in favor of releasing the bill.

There are seven members on the Senate Education Committee, five Democrats and two Republicans.

For a bill to be released from committee the majority of members must sign the bill’s backer.

I can depend on the votes of Republicans Eric Buckson and Dave Lawson.

I would need two of the Democrat committee members to add their signatures.

Senator Sturgeon has already said no. The other Democrats on the committee are Senators Elizabeth Lockman, Stephanie Hansen, Nicole Poore and David P. Sokola.

I hope voters will contact these senators and urge them to allow SB 215 out of committee for a full vote on the Senate floor.

The witnesses on behalf of the bill included:

• Nancy Lynn Hogshead-Makar, an American swimmer who represented the United States at the 1984 Summer Olympics, where she won three gold medals and one silver medal. She is currently the CEO of Champion Women, an organization leading efforts to advocate for equality and accountability in sports.

• Paula Scanlan, a former swimmer for the University of Pennsylvania who gained attention for her outspoken views on the inclusion of transgender women in women’s sports, particularly regarding her experience with Lia Thomas, a transgender athlete who competed on the women’s team. She has since become an advocate for protecting women’s sports and privacy.

• Macy Petty, a former female athlete who played against a man, and now works full time with Concerned Women for America. to advocate for fair play.

• Barbara Ehardt, an Idaho State Representative who was the first lawmaker to develop, sponsor and carry “The Fairness in Women’s Sports Act” in 2020. Since then she has testified in most every state that has brought and passed this legislation, which today is 27 states. The Idaho law is one of two laws that are before the Supreme Court of the United States (Little v. Hecox) regarding transgender athletes.

Since then she has testified in most every state that has brought and passed this legislation, which today is 27 states.

The Idaho law is one of two laws that are before the Supreme Court of the United States (Little v. Hecox) regarding transgender athletes.

A decision from the SCOTUS is expected in June.

Other testimonies from witnesses unable to attend the hearing were entered into the record along with more than a dozen articles explaining the unfairness of continuing to allow biological males to compete in sports for females.

Send comments to bryant.richardson@delaware.gov.