Former Roanoke College swimmer Lily Mullens has spoken out against the recent policy changes by Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger’s administration. Mullens, along with fellow swimmers Réka György and Carter Satterfield, had advocated for a regulation to protect women-only sports and spaces, a move that was recently halted.
Background on the Petition
The three athletes formally petitioned the Virginia State Board of Health to enforce gender-specific rules in sports. This proposal, aimed at preventing biological males from joining female teams and accessing female-designated areas, gained significant support. Over 2,300 public comments backed the initial petition filed in April 2025. It was later supported by the Board of Health, which voted unanimously to explore regulatory changes.
Despite this progress, on July 30, after Governor Spanberger took office, the board withdrew the regulatory action. The decision was not publicly announced, leading to frustration among advocates like Mullens and György.
Mullens’ Response
Mullens criticized Governor Spanberger’s decision, expressing disappointment over halted efforts to maintain gender-specific sports teams. She emphasized the biological differences between men and women as a foundational reason for such policies.
“Virginia had a leader who understood this fact and did everything he could to protect women,” Mullens stated, lamenting the rollback.
György’s Perspective
Réka György also voiced her concerns, drawing from personal experiences in competitive swimming. She notably competed against transgender swimmer Lia Thomas, which influenced her advocacy for sex-separated sports.
György emphasized the need for protective regulations, highlighting the challenges faced by female athletes in shared spaces.
Politics and Regulation
During her campaign, Governor Spanberger suggested a case-by-case evaluation of transgender athletes’ participation, considering factors like age and competition level. Her administration has not yet provided a detailed response to the policy abandonment, leaving stakeholders seeking clarity.
As debates continue, the focus remains on how policies will shape inclusivity and fairness in sports moving forward.
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