Times change and people change, and in America that’s usually for the better.
I’m young enough to remember the days when boys played sports and girls were cheerleaders because those were the options.
I also remember when my high school added its first official girls’ sports team.
America has come a long and positive way in ensuring women have the same opportunities as men.
That progress is now under assault.
A minority group of individuals are pushing an agenda that says gender identity should trump biological gender.
As the father of four daughters, I say men should not compete in women’s sports nor should they be using women’s restrooms.
That’s based on science and common sense.
Some might be wondering why, in 2024, there aren’t more protections for women.
Until Friday, there were significant protections at the federal level for women, but Joe Biden unilaterally dismantled what is known as Title IX.
Title IX, established in 1972, provides that any school receiving federal assistance is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of sex.
Landmark in its nature, it opened the door to competitive women’s sports, providing opportunities and choices for countless women across America.
It’s not an overstatement to say that but for Title IX, Caitlin Clark today might be known for something other than her astounding ability on the basketball court.
Late last week, the Biden Administration essentially ripped Title IX into shreds.
Through executive action, Biden ordered the inclusion of gender identity in the definition of sex-based discrimination.
By including gender identity, men who “identify” as females are essentially afforded protection under the law to play in women’s sports and use women’s restrooms and locker rooms.
To deny such inclusion under Biden’s order, a school will surely face lawsuits or punishment from the federal government.
By pushing a policy that mandates gender identity as the deciding factor rather than biology, Biden is guaranteeing more harm to biological women while taking away opportunities for them to earn a scholarship or compete in sports.
Despite its reach and profound effect, Biden’s rule has been praised by those most would expect — radical leftists.
The silence from some is deafening.
Organizations that claim to be pro-woman are mute, torn between adhering to their founding mission and the far-left donors who keep them financially afloat.
Politicians like Joe Biden and Congressman Mike Levin deny both common sense and science when they reject the fact that biologically, boys are different than girls. Last year, Levin voted against a bill that would have banned biological males from participating in women’s sports teams that receive federal funds.
Now, in an election year he is curiously silent on Biden’s takedown of Title IX.
Political campaigns are about ideas and having the guts to stake out a position.
This is one of those issues where voters, parents especially, deserve to know where their candidate stands.
As a parent, the mere thought that one of my daughters could be forced to share a restroom or a locker room with a man is beyond repugnant.
The idea that my daughter would be forced to compete against a man in sports defies logic given the physical disparities and safety concerns.
The question myself and many others are asking is: when did acceptance of scientific facts become taboo?
Many of the individuals who spent the COVID years telling all of us to “follow the science” now want us to disregard science under the guise of gender inclusion or equality.
Their argument is based on a false equivalency.
It is OK and right to believe that we should not discriminate against individuals based on race, sex, or creed.
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Most normal US citizens agree with that statement. I certainly do.
It is not OK, nor is it right to unilaterally create or claim something that defies a scientific fact then demand equal protection for it.
If you are a mom, a dad, an aunt, an uncle, or simply have a young woman in your life you care about, you have every right and should be concerned by this unilateral takedown of the very law that has helped protect and encourage so many women to thrive the last 50 years.
As a parent, it is your right and obligation to ask questions, demand accountability and ensure the safety and security of your children.
As a voter it is your right and responsibility when you see something wrong to demand and vote for change.
Matt Gunderson is the Republican nominee for the 49th Congressional District and proud father of four daughters.