FIRST ON THE DAILY SIGNAL—Most voters oppose allowing transgender-identifying males to compete in women’s sports, but only 36% are aware that Vice President Kamala Harris, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, supports that policy.
Nearly three-quarters (72%) of registered voters think biological males should not be allowed to participate in women’s and girls’ sports, according to new national polling from Scott Rasmussen shared with The Daily Signal.
Rasmussen polled 1,000 registered voters on Monday and Tuesday. On Thursday, the Biden administration’s rewrite of Title IX took effect, adding “gender identity” to the list of sex-based protections in federal law. That has the effect of allowing men into women’s private spaces, athletics, and educational opportunities. Federal judges have blocked the new rule from taking effect in 26 states.
Yet the majority of voters surveyed did not know Harris supports allowing males to compete in female sporting events.
“The views of Vice President Harris remain largely unknown to voters,” Rasmussen told The Daily Signal. “In fact, the only thing a majority of voters know about is her strong pro-choice position on the issue of abortion.”
“For example, only 14% of voters believe biological males should be allowed to compete in women’s sports,” Rasmussen said. “Even among voters who support Harris, just 21% hold this view.”
Harris is also an ardent supporter of the Equal Rights Amendment, which if enacted would open the door permanently for men to compete in women’s sports and enter female-only spaces, such as restrooms and locker rooms. She also has championed the proposed Equality Act, which would prohibit “discrimination” against transgender athletes; meaning, it would codify in law males in female sports.
The vice president has remained silent on the issue since a biological male boxer from Algeria beat an Italian woman at the Paris Olympics in just 46 seconds on Thursday. The transgender-identifying male will fight another woman on Saturday.
Another biological male, Lin Yu-ting of Taiwan, won his first Olympics boxing match against a woman on Friday.
“Vice President Harris, however, has actively supported policies that would allow biological males to compete in women’s sports,” Rasmussen said. “This presents former President [Donald] Trump with a great opportunity if he can shine a light on Harris and her policy positions.”
More than half of those surveyed were unaware of Harris’ position on males’ participation in female sports.
Sixty-eight percent of those surveyed said biological males who identify as women should not be allowed in private female spaces. Only 35% were aware that Harris favors allowing men who identify as women to use female bathrooms, locker rooms, and showers.
Protecting women’s sports and private spaces is basic common sense, says Paula Scanlan, legislative correspondent for the Independent Women’s Forum. Scanlan swam competitively for the University of Pennsylvania and was forced to share a locker room with transgender swimmer and biological male Lia Thomas.
“A lot of politicians are not able to see past party lines and lean into common sense,” Scanlan said. “Most Americans agree men shouldn’t play women’s sports, but unfortunately, politicians are being held hostage by the loud minority.”
