(PM.) On Thursday, marking the 50th anniversary of Title IX, people gathered in Washington DC’s Freedom Plaza to listen to a variety of women talk about the necessity of protecting women’s and girls’ sports from biological male competitors. This as the Biden administration’s Department of Education proposed new rules on Thursday to remove Title IX rights for women in favor of those for gender identity.
The event, Our Bodies, Our Sports, was put on by a number of sponsors, including women’s groups Independent Council on Women’s Sports, the National Federation of Republican Women, the Women’s Liberation Front, and Concerned Women for America, as well as other conservative groups like The Heritage Foundation, Army of Parents, and Turning Point Action.
The event featured women from all walks of life, including college and high school athletes, professional athletes, lawmakers, and parents, who spoke passionately about the necessity of keeping sports divided by biological sex, not by gender identity.
Speaking early in the event was Riley Gaines, a former University of Kentucky swimmer that raced against former University of Pennsylvania swimmer, and biological male, Lia Thomas at the NCAA championships this March.
The two tied, with Thomas being handed the fifth place trophy for photos, while Gaines was told her trophy would be sent in the mail.
As Gaines began speaking, a small group of protestors carrying various flags, including a trans pride flag bearing the Antifa symbol, began banging on drums, blaring sirens, and blowing on whistles to drown out the speakers, though their efforts were unsuccessful.
LIVE in DC: A small group of protestors attempts to drown out the Our Bodies, Our Sports event in Freedom Plaza, held in support of protecting women’s sports
Footage from @HannahNighting pic.twitter.com/sQ76RlSsDB
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) June 23, 2022
LIVE in DC: Protestors circle Freedom Plaza in an attempt to enter a women’s sports rally, but are stopped by officers
Footage from @HannahNighting pic.twitter.com/fsDDGuw2sf
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) June 23, 2022