On June 11th, Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott ceremonially signed Senate Bill 15, also known as the “Save Women’s Sports Act,” which is set to take effect on September 1.
While the bill signing was initially celebrated by supporters who had been advocating for the law, the ceremony of joy quickly turned to alarm as protesters supporting transgender policies began to yell profanities at children, throw bottles and spit on people who had gathered to support girls-only spaces and sports.
At the event were former Division 1 swimmer and advocate Riley Gaines and her former teammate Paula Scanlan. According to Gaines, the crowd of protesters was “some of the most vengeful, hateful, soulless individuals.”
“Racist, sexist, anti-trans, you have blood on your hands”
Simply female athletes asking for our own spaces. pic.twitter.com/FtYjg8XI4Z
— Macy Petty (@macypetty0416) August 7, 2023
Videos taken from the event also show children being yelled at by protesters, and it is reported that hundreds of protesters were in attendance.
Michelle Evans, the Austin chapter leader for the Independent Women’s Network, described the crowd as “rabid” and said she was spat on in the eye by a woman in a pink ski mask and sunglasses. Scanlan captured the incident on video to emphasize her worries about women’s rights.
DISGUSTING: Protestors targeted young girls outside of the signing of the #SaveWomensSports Act in Texas.
Girls, as young as 5, were harassed & called vulgar names, all for joining the celebration of protecting equal athletic opportunity. pic.twitter.com/QdPFpThq6L
— Independent Women’s Voice (@IWV) August 7, 2023
The “Save Woman’s Sports Act” is set to protect women and girls at all levels of competition in Texas by requiring athletes to compete based on their biological sex. While Gaines mentioned the hostile behavior of the protesters as unfortunate, she says it “encourages her to continue and to continue pushing this in all 50 states.”
Regardless of the opinion on this law, the members and supporters of both sides should agree that dangerous and violent behavior has no place in civil debates, especially one involving children.
What about women’s rights? Are women’s rights not human rights? pic.twitter.com/54zzS9lxPa
— Paula Scanlan (@PaulaYScanlan) August 7, 2023
Sadly, a few hostile members of the crowd were able to turn an event of support into one of fear and danger.
Hopefully, those on both sides of the debate can agree to disagree without resorting to verbal and physical assaults and can work together to ensure that events like this – full of young children – remain safe and civil.