Governor Joe Lombardo announced Wednesday he’s spearheading a ballot initiative to amend Nevada’s Constitution, ensuring biological males stay out of girls’ and women’s sports. The move comes even as existing state and federal policies already restrict transgender athletes from competing on female teams.
The governor is taking a stand that resonates with many Nevada parents who worry about fairness and safety in their daughters’ athletic competitions.
This isn’t just about politics. It’s about protecting opportunities that generations of female athletes fought hard to secure.
What the Initiative Would Do
The Protect Girls’ Sports In Nevada PAC filed its ballot language Wednesday afternoon.
The proposed amendment would require all schools, colleges, and athletic programs receiving public funds to categorize sports as male, female, or coed. Athletes would compete based on their biological sex at birth.
Lombardo said in Wednesday’s press release:
“We are taking thoughtful steps to ensure girls’ sports are fair and athletes are safe,”
The PAC’s leadership reads like a who’s who of Nevada conservative politics. Alongside Lombardo as honorary chair, the team includes Assemblywoman Heidi Kasama from Las Vegas, attorney Adriana Guzmán Fralick who’s running for attorney general, and Erica Neely, who’s running for the open Assembly District 9 seat after nearly defeating Speaker Steve Yeager in 2024.
In a statement, Neely said:
“As a mother of daughters, this matters to me personally. I want my girls to grow up in a world where they’re treated equally and have a fair chance, especially in sports. This proposed amendment protects equal rights for everyone, while making sure girls’ teams stay just for girls, so our daughters can compete safely and fairly. There are still co-ed options. For me, this isn’t political, it’s about protecting opportunities for our daughters.”
Why This Matters Now
You might wonder why we need a constitutional amendment when transgender athletes are already restricted.
Here’s the thing: Policies can change with the political winds. The Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association just reversed its transgender-friendly policy last April after President Trump’s executive order. But what happens when political control shifts?
A constitutional amendment offers permanent protection. It can’t be undone by a future governor’s pen stroke or a legislative vote. That’s exactly what Lombardo achieved with voter ID requirements, which passed overwhelmingly in 2024.
The timing isn’t coincidental. Lombardo faces re-election in 2026, the same year this initiative would appear on the ballot for its first vote. Constitutional amendments need voter approval in two successive elections to take effect.
The Opposition’s View
Critics argue this targets a tiny population. NCAA President Charlie Baker told Congress he knows of fewer than 10 transgender athletes competing among 510,000 college athletes nationwide. That’s 0.0000196 percent.
Nevada’s Equal Rights Amendment, passed by voters in 2022, guarantees equal rights regardless of gender identity or expression. Some legal experts believe this could complicate efforts to restrict transgender athletes, though similar challenges haven’t succeeded in other states with comparable protections.
The Signature Battle Ahead
Here’s where the rubber meets the road. The PAC needs 148,788 valid signatures by June 24 to qualify for the ballot. That includes at least 37,197 signatures from each of Nevada’s four congressional districts.
This isn’t Lombardo’s first rodeo with ballot initiatives. He successfully backed the voter ID measure that sailed through last year. His political operation knows how to gather signatures and mobilize supporters.
The Nevada volleyball team’s boycott of San Jose State over a transgender player brought national attention to this issue. Many parents saw their daughters standing up for fairness and felt proud. That energy could translate into signature-gathering momentum.
What Conservatives Can Do
If you believe biological males shouldn’t compete against your daughters and granddaughters, here’s your chance to act. Watch for signature gatherers at community events, shopping centers, and political gatherings. Every signature counts toward those district requirements.
Talk to your neighbors about this issue. Many people don’t realize current protections could disappear with changing political leadership. A constitutional amendment provides the permanence our daughters deserve.
Consider volunteering if you have time. Signature gathering takes boots on the ground, especially to meet those geographic requirements across all four congressional districts.
This battle extends beyond Nevada. Similar initiatives are advancing in Washington, Colorado, Maine, and California. Nevada has a chance to lead the western states in protecting female athletes through constitutional means rather than temporary policies.
The path ahead won’t be easy. But for parents who want their daughters to compete on level playing fields, this initiative offers a concrete way to make that happen. The clock is ticking toward that June 24 deadline.
The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Nevada News & Views. This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
