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Nothing woke America uptothe realities of gender ideology quicker than the photo of Riley Gaines standing nexttoher National Championship opponent, a 6’1″ maletowering over her with his broad shoulders and smoldering grin. You felt it in your bones – this isn’t right.
The moment sparked a nationwide campaign totry and convince everyday Americans that this feeling was not just instinct; it was internalized bigotry and evidence that there was noble, progressive work stilltodo. Only one problem. It was all a lie. And recent admissions show that not even thetop Democratic leaders believed what they were selling.
Just five years ago, I was a freshman in college, testifying in my dorm room about a bill that stated men cannot compete onwomen’s sports teams. “Politics are crazy,” I thought, “Why do I even needtotestify on something so obvious?”
Vice President Kamala Harris stands on stage with California Gov. Gavin Newsom at a campaign event in San Leandro, California, Sept. 8, 2021. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
I quickly learned of myown naivety when the bill did not pass in my very conservative state. “This isn’t a real issue,” they insisted while I, a female athlete who had previously competed against a man, sat in front of them. There was clearly much moretothis problem than I realized.
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When the spotlight on the issue grew, it was somehow immediately deemed partisan. The issue was linkedtotheDemocrats’ pro-LGBTQIA+ position, which they had insisted was the civil rights issue of our time, and now it was squarely at odds with something plainly unjust. But they were intoo deep.
At every turn, those who triedtofind solutionstothe problem of men inwomen’s sports, including traditionally far-left organizations likeWomen’s Liberation Front, found themselves up against the powerful political operatives of the Democratic Party. Though the ties between LGB and T were fading, the radical left insisted thattobe pro-gay or pro-woman, you hadtoalso stand for men inwomen’s sports.Democratsobliged.
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In some ways, this makes sense. If theDemocratsacknowledge that sex exists in sports, then what does this meantoother parts of their agenda that rely on sex-denying ideology? The crusadetoabolish sexis one that spans decades, and they are not abouttobudge now. So, they doubled down, even redefining “sex” as “gender identity” wherever they could, including in landmark pro-woman legislation like Title IX, and they continuedtolabel anything contrary as “extreme” through the 2024 election.
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ConcernedWomenfor America LACexit pollingsuggests this issue played an outsized role in the election, and theDemocratspaid the price with a resounding loss in both chambers of the federal government and the White House. Voters did not buy the lie that their concerns were merely internalized bigotry. And at least someDemocratsare finally readytoface the music and speak more openly about it.
TheDemocrats’highest-rankingfigure has finally addressed one of the biggest political flops of modern history, and while her confession is unsurprising, it should shake the partytoits core.
Former Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at the Wiltern Theatre on Sept. 29, 2025, in Los Angeles. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)
In her recently released book about her presidential candidacy, former Vice President Kamala Harrisadmits that she,too,sharesconcerns: “I agree with the concerns expressed by parents and players that we havetotake into account biological factors such as muscle mass and unfair student athletic advantage when we determine who plays on which teams, especially in contact sports.”
But she added, “There was no way I was goingtogo against my very nature and turn on transgender people.”
And there it is. Tension unmasked. When reality collides with allegiance, theDemocratschoose allegiance.
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Thehighest leaders of the party know they were ignoring the real, reasonable and consequential concerns of millions ofwomen.Abandoningwomenand their safety was a calculation worth making in their eyes.
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Harris is not alone. California Gov. Gavin Newsom has publiclyadmittedthat this is “an issue of fairness – it’s deeply unfair.” Yet, his state is one of the worst offenders ofwomen’s rights in this area.
On this Worldwide X/X Day (Real Women’s Day),the good news is that some party members are choosing reality andabandoningship. Just a few weeks ago, 10 HouseDemocratsvoted, for the first time, for a National Defense Authorization Actamendmentthat would keep men from competing onwomen’s athletic teams at service academies. Just a few months ago, most of these same members refusedtovote for abillwith similar protections.
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As we hope this issue joins the parade of failed civil rights attacks of times gone by, voters and candidates alike should heed the warning. Never stand for a lie. Truth is our only sure foundation. Policy must be based on reality.
We know wrong when we see it. It is instinctive, and often clearly on display, like that photo of Riley Gaines’ medal being giventoa male.
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Macy Petty is a former NCAA volleyball player and legislative strategist for the Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee, dedicated to promoting biblical values and constitutional principles in public policy.