Utah’s top political leaders — including Gov. Spencer Cox, ranking state legislative leaders and the entire U.S. congressional delegation — voiced unified opposition Monday to a Mountain West Conference policy allowing “biological men” to compete in women’s sports.
Citing a need to “defend our female athletes,” Cox was joined by Utah Senate President Stuart Adams and House Speaker Mike Schultz in calling for action in a high-profile lawsuit involving college transgender athletes.
The three men asked Utah State University “to move to intervene” in the lawsuit against the Mountain West Conference and San Jose State University that was filed last week in a U.S. District Court.
Cox, Adams and Schultz issued a joint statement on Monday:
“Female athletes deserve the right to a safe playing field, fair competition and equal opportunities. By intervening, Utah will send a clear message that these rights are non-negotiable. The NCAA, Mountain West Conference and other institutions across the nation have failed to take action, thereby undermining vital protections and putting female athletes at risk. We will continue to defend our female athletes and the integrity of our athletic programs.”