Judge Approves Trans Athlete Initiative, Modifies Summary Language

A Carson City District Court judge has ruled that a controversial ballot initiative seeking to limit transgender athletes’ participation in sports leagues can proceed, although the summary language must be revised to clarify its implications. The initiative, backed by Governor Joe Lombardo, aims to restrict participation in athletic competitions to individuals based on their sex assigned at birth.

Judge Jason Woodbury dismissed a challenge to the “Protect Girls’ Sports” initiative, which sought to block it from reaching voters in the upcoming election. However, he mandated that the initiative’s summary explicitly state that it would create an exemption to the protections established by the state’s Equal Rights Amendment, which was enacted by voters in 2022.

Lombardo, a first-term Republican seeking re-election, characterized the initiative as essential for preserving the integrity of women’s and girls’ sports. He emphasized that the proposed measure is designed to ensure eligibility for sports competitions is based on an athlete’s sex at birth.

In a statement, Halee Dobbins, a spokesperson for Lombardo’s campaign, expressed support for the ruling, saying, “There has been a lot of talk, but not a lot of action when it comes to actually protecting girls’ sports in Nevada.” Dobbins added that the governor is confident voters will support the initiative, which he believes will enhance the safety and competitive fairness in women’s sports.

The challenge to the initiative was brought forth by Sue Burtch, the executive director of the Nevada chapter of the National Organization for Women. Burtch’s petition argued that the initiative’s description of effect was misleading, as it failed to include the context of its potential impact on the state’s Equal Rights Amendment. She did not respond to a request for comment following the ruling.

The judge also addressed a concern regarding the language used in the initiative’s description. While the original wording referred to “public funds,” Woodbury noted that this could be interpreted to include federal or local funding. The revised language specifies “state funds,” indicating that any sports league receiving state funding would have to comply with the proposed regulations.

If approved, the initiative would prohibit athletes born male from participating in teams or sports designated for women or girls. Conversely, it would allow those born female to compete in male sports if no corresponding female team exists. Additionally, individuals, regardless of their sex at birth, would still be permitted to participate in co-ed or mixed-sex leagues and sports.

To successfully place the question on the November 2026 general election ballot, petition circulators must collect at least 148,788 signatures, with a minimum of 37,197 signatures from each of the four congressional districts in Nevada. The deadline for submitting verified signatures to county authorities is June 24, 2026. As of now, officials from the political action committee (PAC) supporting the initiative have not yet begun collecting signatures.

The implications of this initiative come at a time when policies surrounding transgender participation in sports are under scrutiny nationwide. In April, the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association, which oversees high school sports in the state, revised its policy to require that transgender athletes compete according to the gender listed on their birth certificates. This change was influenced by a federal executive order issued during the Trump administration.

As discussions around the participation of transgender athletes continue to evolve, this ruling sets the stage for significant debate in Nevada and potentially shapes similar initiatives in other jurisdictions.