Two Democratic lawmakers running in competitive Senate races in states carried by President Donald Trump are backing legislation that critics say would eliminate female-only spaces and undermine the right of girls and women to compete exclusively against members of their own sex in sports.
Sen. Jon Ossoff of Georgia and Rep. Haley Stevens of Michigan—both of whom previously voted against legislation to ban biological males from participating in women’s sports—are co-sponsoring the Equality Act. The bill would designate “gender identity” as a protected category under federal anti-discrimination law. Their support for the sweeping measure has drawn criticism from Republicans, who accuse the candidates of embracing progressive gender policies that conflict with the views of many voters in their home states.
Nearly 70% of Democrats or Democrat-leaning voters oppose allowing biological males to compete in women’s sports, according to a New York Times survey conducted from January 2 to January 10. Ossoff, widely considered the most vulnerable Democratic incumbent in the 2026 cycle, is currently running unopposed in Georgia’s Democratic primary. Meanwhile, Stevens joined a competitive Democratic primary in April for Michigan’s open Senate seat, following Sen. Gary Peters’ decision not to seek reelection.
In Georgia, a January poll found that 73% of voters support a state ban on transgender athletes competing in women’s sports. In April, Republican Gov. Brian Kemp signed the Riley Gaines Act into law, aimed at protecting women’s athletic competitions. Still, the Equality Act seeks to amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to include protections against discrimination based on “sexual orientation and gender identity.” According to an analysis by the Heritage Foundation, the legislation would require schools to allow biological males who identify as transgender girls to access female-only spaces, including participation on girls’ sports teams.
“As Republicans across the country continue their assault on LGBTQ+ Americans – particularly the trans community – the fight against bigotry and discrimination remains as urgent as ever,” Pelosi said in a April 29 statement marking the Equality Act’s reintroduction. But former Republican Michigan Rep. Mike Rogers, who is viewed as the clear frontrunner for the Republican nomination, criticized Stevens for repeatedly failing to protect women’s sports and female-only spaces.
“Michiganders see Haley Stevens’ In-Equality Act for what it is: the radical left’s latest scheme to force boys into girls’ bathrooms and sports teams,” Rogers campaign spokesperson Alyssa Brouillet told the Daily Caller News Foundation. “Meanwhile, Mike Rogers and President Trump are fighting to defend girls’ safety, privacy, and opportunity. Protecting girls’ sports and spaces is not only fair, it’s common sense.”