Athletes, Coaches, Educators and Lawmakers Clash Over Sex-Based Terms Bill
Pro athletes from Arizona weigh in on legislation defining sex-based terms, sparking debate over protections for women's spaces and fairness in competition.
“I am a swim coach. I have a co-ed team. I have girls all in swimsuits, boys all in Speedos.
"I cannot imagine putting young men into heats and races with my young, 14-18-year-old girls. That would be extremely unfair."
Kristine Nelson | Arizona Swim Coach and Retired Educator
Swim Coach and Retired Educator Supports HB 2062 - Sex-Based Terms
On March 5, 2025, retired teacher and high school swimming coach Kristine Nelson spoke before the Arizona Senate Committee on Government, voicing support for HB 2062, which seeks to define sex-based terms in state law.
Watch the March 5, 2025 Meeting Here | AZ Senate Committee on Government
Nelson spoke representing LPGA golfer Dana Fall. Fall, an Arizona native and professional golfer, voiced concerns over trans-identifying male athletes competing in women's sports, citing Hailey Davidson’s victories, including the 2024 NXXT Women's Classic.
Hailey Davidson played men’s collegiate golf, earning a scholarship at Wilmington University (NCAA DII) before transferring to Christopher Newport (NCAA DIII). The athlete began hormone treatments in September 2015 and underwent gender reassignment surgery in January 2021, meeting the LPGA’s Gender Policy requirements.
The LPGA revised its Gender Policy for Competition Eligibility, with the changes going into effect in the 2025 season, resulting in Hailey Davidson's ineligibility to compete.
In Dana Fall’s statement read by Nelson, she argued biological males retain competitive advantages in strength and endurance, making competition unfair despite hormone therapy. She emphasized that hundreds of female golfers share these concerns, but many hesitate to speak out. Fall called for more athletes to stand up for fair competition, stating, "I hate that it’s become a political issue."
“100% of the people Dana has talked to agreed that it doesn't make sense, it's not fair, and it's something that needs to stop,” says Kristine Nelson.
Coach Nelson on Fairness in Girls' Sports
Coach Nelson, a swim coach with a co-ed team, expressed concerns over biological males competing against female athletes. She emphasized the unfairness of placing young men in races against girls, especially in a sport where athletes wear minimal attire and travel together.
"I cannot imagine putting young men into heats and races with my young, 14-18 year old girls. That would be extremely unfair,” states Nelson to the committee.
Arizona Legislature Advances 'Sex-Based Terms Act'
HB 2062 | Introduced by Representatives Fink: Keshel, Powell, Way
House Bill 2062, known as the "Arizona Sex-Based Terms Act," aims to standardize definitions of sex-based terms in state policies and laws. The bill proposes that any policy, program, rule, or law prohibiting sex discrimination must ensure that males and females are treated fairly in relation to their counterparts. It also allows for single-sex environments, such as athletics, living facilities, locker rooms, bathrooms, domestic violence shelters, and sexual assault crisis centers, when biological differences are relevant.
Additionally, the bill mandates state entities collecting vital statistics related to sex must identify individuals as male or female to comply with anti-discrimination laws and for accurate data collection in public health, crime, and economic sectors. The proposed definitions for terms like male, female, man, woman, mother, and father are based on biological characteristics.
Proponents argue that this legislation provides clarity and consistency in legal language, ensuring policies accurately reflect biological distinctions. Opponents express concerns that the bill may not account for the complexities of gender identity and could lead to exclusion of transgender and non-binary individuals.
Paul Bixler Opposes HB 2062
Paul Bixler, a former Liberty Elementary School District board member, who lost a bid for re-election this last cycle, spoke against HB 2062 during the Arizona Senate hearing.
During the hearing, Bixler and Senator John Kavanaugh discuss the ability for him to use restrooms and locker rooms. Bixler says he was assaulted in a men’s bathroom. Kavanaugh responds, “For you, it’s about access. For me, it’s about privacy.”
Hear from all speakers at the March 5, 2025 hearing here.
For more details, you can access the full fact sheet on HB 2062 here.
Support for Arizona's HB 2062: Defining Sex-Based Terms to Protect Women's Spaces
In a January 21, 2025, commentary in the Arizona Capitol Times, Representative Lisa Fink and former NCAA swimmer Paula Scanlan advocate for Arizona's House Bill 2062, aiming to legally define sex-based terms like "male" and "female" in state law.
Scanlan shares her experience of competing alongside transgender athlete Lia Thomas, expressing concerns about privacy and fairness. Similarly, Arizona cyclist Natalie Church faced challenges competing against older male athletes. The authors argue that without clear definitions, women's access to single-sex spaces and opportunities in areas like sports, prisons, locker rooms, rape crisis centers, and domestic violence shelters is at risk.
Representative Fink emphasizes that HB 2062 seeks to:
Define sex-based terms in existing state statutes.
Affirm the state's interest in maintaining single-sex spaces.
Ensure accuracy in public data collection.
WHERE THE BILL GOES NOW
On March 5, 2025, the Arizona Senate Government Committee passed House Bill 2062, the "Sex-Based Terms Act," with a 4-3 vote along party lines. It now proceeds to the full Senate for consideration. Governor Katie Hobbs has pledged to veto the bill if it reaches her desk.
THE MORE YOU KNOW.
Additional speakers in favor of HB 2062 were Christy Narsi the National Chapter Director of the Independent Women’s Network, and Robert Wallace with Gays Against Groomers.
Bill sponsor Rep. Fink stated, “With my work at the Protect Arizona Children Coalition, I, Rep. Fink, saw the need for defining common sex-based words, such as “woman” and “female,” used in 107 state statutes, and so I introduced HB 2062.” You can find the organization here.
During the hearing, AZ Senator Lauren Kuby (D-LD8) criticized the group Protect Arizona Children Coalition - citing its affiliation with Family Watch International - a nonprofit organization deemed a ‘hate group’ by the Southern Poverty Law Center. Kuby’s comments were intercepted by a warning of opening herself up to defamation from committee chair Sen. Jake Hoffman (R-LD15).
SPLC - the group Kuby references - has been criticized for silencing conservative viewpoints. In May 2016, the SPLC issued an apology to Ben Carson after previously including the then-Republican presidential hopeful on its "Extremist Watch List." It also added the nonprofit Moms for Liberty, in its annual Year in Hate & Extremism report for 2022.
Last year, Arizona legislation SB 1628 aimed to define sex-based terms in state law based on biological sex and allow single-sex spaces in areas like sports, bathrooms, and shelters. Supporters argued it ensured legal clarity and protected women’s rights, while opponents saw it as discriminatory against transgender individuals. The bill passed the legislature but was vetoed by Governor Hobbs.
In her veto letter on April 16, 2024, Governor Katie Hobbs stated, "I will not sign legislation that attacks Arizonans."