Arkansas Governor Rejects Biden's Transgender Athlete Policy

Arkansas Governor Sarah Sanders has signed an executive order in response to President Biden's new Title IX regulations that added protections for transgender athletes. Sanders said she was "appalled" by the "attack on common sense."

Arkansas Governor Sarah Sanders has signed an executive order in response to President Biden's new Title IX regulations that added protections for transgender athletes. Sanders said she was "appalled" by the "attack on common sense."

"According to the rule, sex is no longer based on the commonly understood biological differences between men and women," Sanders said. "It's based on how a person feels or their gender identity. To put it another way, Biden thinks anybody can be a woman just because they say so. As a woman, the mother of a daughter and our state's first chief executive to give birth … I can't think of anything more offensive or dismissive of the very real, very scientific traits that all women share and that no man does."

Sanders added that she won't let Biden "erase our existence as women."

Under the new rules, sex discrimination includes discrimination based on gender identity as well as sexual orientation. A school must not separate or treat people differently based on sex, except in limited circumstances, under the provisions, but critics say the change will allow locker rooms and bathrooms to be based on gender identity.

The executive order states: "Educational institutions of Arkansas will continue to enforce state law guaranteeing the right of students to maintain their privacy. Students must not be forced to shower or undress with members of the opposite sex."

Female students must not be denied equal athletic opportunities or forced to risk their safety by having biological males placed into female-designated sports leagues."

Six states sued the Department of Education due to the overhaul of Title IX this week. Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti and Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman announced Tuesday that they are leading the charge.

"The U.S. Department of Education has no authority to let boys into girls’ locker rooms," Skrmetti said in a statement.

The Department of Education sent Fox News Digital a statement that said "the Department does not comment on pending litigation."

Sanders' executive order is the latest in a series of challenges to Biden's transgender policies. In March, the state of Indiana passed a law that prohibits transgender girls from participating in girls' sports. The law is currently being challenged in court.

The issue of transgender athletes is a divisive one. Some people believe that transgender athletes should be allowed to compete in sports consistent with their gender identity. Others believe that transgender athletes have an unfair advantage over cisgender athletes.

The debate over transgender athletes is likely to continue for some time. It is a complex issue with no easy answers.

In the meantime, Sanders' executive order is a clear statement that Arkansas will not tolerate Biden's transgender policies. It remains to be seen whether other states will follow Arkansas' lead.