Documents › Executive orders › 14201
Executive Order 14201
Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports
Signed February 5, 2025, printed at 90 FR 9279. 4 sections of substance, 1,247 words.
This order bars men from women's school sports. Schools that allow it may lose federal money.
Sec. 1. Policy and Purpose
In recent years, many educational institutions and athletic associations have allowed men to compete in women's sports. This is demeaning, unfair, and dangerous to women and girls, and denies women and girls the equal opportunity to participate and excel in competitive sports. Moreover, under Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 (Title IX), educational institutions receiving Federal funds cannot deny women an equal opportunity to participate in sports. As some Federal courts have recognized, ``ignoring fundamental biological truths between the two sexes deprives women and girls of meaningful access to educational facilities.'' Tennessee v. Cardona, 24-cv-00072 at 73 (E.D. Ky. 2024). See also Kansas v. U.S. Dept. of Education, 24-cv-04041 at 23 (D. Kan. 2024) (highlighting ``Congress' goals of protecting biological women in education''). Therefore, it is the policy of the
In recent years, many educational institutions and athletic associations have allowed men to compete in women's sports. This is demeaning, unfair, and dangerous to women and girls, and denies women and girls the equal opportunity to participate and excel in competitive sports. Moreover, under Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 (Title IX), educational institutions receiving Federal funds cannot deny women an equal opportunity to participate in sports. As some Federal courts have recognized, ``ignoring fundamental biological truths between the two sexes deprives women and girls of meaningful access to educational facilities.'' Tennessee v. Cardona, 24-cv-00072 at 73 (E.D. Ky. 2024). See also Kansas v. U.S. Dept. of Education, 24-cv-04041 at 23 (D. Kan. 2024) (highlighting ``Congress' goals of protecting biological women in education''). Therefore, it is the policy of the
This is about sports. It says men should not play on women's teams. It points to Title IX.
Sec. 2. Definitions
The definitions in Executive Order 14168 of January 20, 2025 (Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government), shall apply to this order.
The definitions in Executive Order 14168 of January 20, 2025 (Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government), shall apply to this order.
This points to another order for its terms. That order defines sex and gender.
Sec. 3. Preserving Women's Sports in Education
(a) In furtherance of the purposes of Title IX, the Secretary of Education shall promptly: (i) in coordination with the Attorney General, continue to comply with the vacatur of the rule entitled ``Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance'' of April 29, 2024, 89 FR 33474, see Tennessee v. Cardona, 24-cv-00072 at 13-15 (E.D. Ky. 2025), and take other appropriate action to ensure this regulation does not have effect; (ii) take all appropriate action to affirmatively protect all-female athletic opportunities and all-female locker rooms and thereby provide the equal opportunity guaranteed by Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, including enforcement actions described in subsection (iii); to bring regulations and policy guidance into line with the Congress' existing demand for ``equal athletic opportunity for
(a) In furtherance of the purposes of Title IX, the Secretary of Education shall promptly: (i) in coordination with the Attorney General, continue to comply with the vacatur of the rule entitled ``Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance'' of April 29, 2024, 89 FR 33474, see Tennessee v. Cardona, 24-cv-00072 at 13-15 (E.D. Ky. 2025), and take other appropriate action to ensure this regulation does not have effect; (ii) take all appropriate action to affirmatively protect all-female athletic opportunities and all-female locker rooms and thereby provide the equal opportunity guaranteed by Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, including enforcement actions described in subsection (iii); to bring regulations and policy guidance into line with the Congress' existing demand for ``equal athletic opportunity for
This tells the Education Department to act. It must protect all female teams. It must also follow a court ruling from 2025.
Sec. 4. Preserving Fairness and Safety in Women's Sports
Many sport-specific governing bodies have no official position or requirements regarding trans- identifying athletes. Others allow men to compete in women's categories if these men reduce the testosterone in their bodies below certain levels or provide documentation of ``sincerely held'' gender identity. These policies are unfair to female athletes and do not protect female safety. To address these concerns, it is hereby ordered: (a) The Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy shall, within 60 days of the date of this order: (i) convene representatives of major athletic organizations and governing bodies, and female athletes harmed by such policies, to promote policies that are fair and safe, in the best interests of female athletes, and consistent with the requirements of Title IX, as applicable; and (ii) convene State Attorneys General to identify best practices in defining and
Many sport-specific governing bodies have no official position or requirements regarding trans- identifying athletes. Others allow men to compete in women's categories if these men reduce the testosterone in their bodies below certain levels or provide documentation of ``sincerely held'' gender identity. These policies are unfair to female athletes and do not protect female safety. To address these concerns, it is hereby ordered: (a) The Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy shall, within 60 days of the date of this order: (i) convene representatives of major athletic organizations and governing bodies, and female athletes harmed by such policies, to promote policies that are fair and safe, in the best interests of female athletes, and consistent with the requirements of Title IX, as applicable; and (ii) convene State Attorneys General to identify best practices in defining and
This is about the bodies that run each sport. It says their rules differ. A White House aide must meet with them in 60 days.
Sec. 5. General Provisions
Every order carries this. It is not what the order does.
(a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect: (i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or (ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals. (b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations. (c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party [[Page 9281]] against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person. (d) If any provision of this order, or the application of any provision to any person or circumstance, is held to be invalid, the remainder of this order and the application of its
(a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect: (i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or (ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals. (b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations. (c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party [[Page 9281]] against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person. (d) If any provision of this order, or the application of any provision to any person or circumstance, is held to be invalid, the remainder of this order and the application of its
This is the closing clause that nearly every order carries. It says the order does not change what the law already allows. It also says no one can sue to enforce it.
How this order is quoted
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