#United States #Denver #Athletes for Action #Protect Kids Colorado #Proposition 134

Athletes for Action and Protect Kids Colorado Join Forces

In a pivotal move to protect the integrity of women's sports, Athletes for Action, an advocacy group comprised of former female athletes, coaches, and parents, has partnered with Protect Kids Colorado to support Proposition 134, the Protect Girls' Sports Act. As the November 3 election approaches, this coalition is launching a statewide ad campaign urging Colorado voters to cast a YES vote.

The initiative stems from a growing concern among female athletes regarding fairness in competition. Co-founder Megan Kaltenbach Burke, who boasts an impressive record in Colorado's sports history, expressed the personal stakes involved in this campaign. After winning 15 Colorado 5A state championships and later becoming an NCAA champion, she is deeply invested in ensuring that her daughters have equal opportunity in competitive sports.

Proposition 134 proposes that athletic teams in Colorado be categorized as male, female, or co-educational. It seeks to reserve spots on women’s teams exclusively for biological female athletes, following an overwhelming community response wherein more than 170,000 signatures were collected to bring the measure to the ballot.

Former NCAA D1 swimmer Paula Scanlan, another co-founder of Athletes for Action, shared her harrowing experiences competing against biological males during her college years, underscoring the need for protecting privacy and fairness in women’s sports. "I know what it feels like when the people in charge decide that fairness and privacy for female athletes are negotiable. Girls in Colorado deserve better than that," she stated emphatically.

In collaboration with Protect Kids Colorado, the campaign aims to highlight that the fight for fair competition is not just a legislative issue but a moral one affecting the rights and safety of young female athletes. Founder Erin Lee emphasized the grassroots nature of this measure, crediting ordinary Colorado families who collected signatures outside local stores and community centers. "Having Athletes for Action's female athletes join this fight sends a clear message that the women who lived this know what's at stake," she said.

This campaign arrives in the wake of a Supreme Court ruling affirming that states can maintain sports teams designated for biological females, presenting Colorado voters with a chance to cement this principle into state law. Adding to the urgency is a recent finding from the U.S. Department of Education that indicated a local school district's violation of Title IX by allowing male students to compete on girls' teams. This glaring discrepancy, where males occupied up to 61 positions on girls' teams, further advocates the necessity of Proposition 134.

The ad campaign, visually powerful and direct, features a young female athlete training alone on a track. The message communicated is profound and thought-provoking: "When we tell her it’s not happening, we’re telling her she doesn’t matter." This powerful statement aims to resonate with voters as they receive their mail ballots in October and prepare for the upcoming election.

In conclusion, Proposition 134 presents an essential opportunity for Colorado voters to safeguard the future of girls' sports. As the campaign continues to gain momentum, the voices of athletes advocating for fair play ensure that the conversation around women's sports remains a priority in this election cycle.

To learn more about Athletes for Action or to view the campaign ad, visit their official website or local social media channels.