MONTGOMERY, AL — Governor Kay Ivey has proclaimed October 10, 2026, as Alabama Girls in Sports Day, recognizing the achievements of female athletes across the state and highlighting Alabama’s laws governing participation in girls’ and women’s sports.
The proclamation emphasizes opportunities for female athletes to participate and compete in organized sports while recognizing the historical contributions of women in athletics.
“Alabama sets the standard when it comes to protecting girls sports,” Ivey said. “In Alabama, we recognize that there are fundamental biological differences between males and females. We know if the Good Lord made you a boy, you are a boy, and if He made you a girl, you are a girl. We will continue standing up for the opportunity for girls to compete fairly and safely.”
The October 10 designation, represented numerically as 10/10 and symbolically through the Roman numeral X, references the XX chromosome pattern typically associated with female biological development.
The proclamation also acknowledges the significance of Title IX, the federal civil rights law enacted in 1972 that prohibits sex-based discrimination in federally funded educational programs and activities. The law has played a major role in expanding athletic opportunities for women and girls.
During Ivey’s administration, Alabama enacted legislation establishing restrictions on athletic participation based on sex assigned at birth. House Bill 391, signed into law in 2021, established requirements for participation in public K-12 school sports. House Bill 261, enacted in 2023, extended similar restrictions to public two-year and four-year colleges and universities.
The legislation has been part of a broader national debate concerning transgender athletes’ participation in school sports. Supporters of such restrictions argue they preserve competitive fairness and opportunities for female athletes, while opponents contend they discriminate against transgender students and limit their participation in athletics.
Alabama Girls in Sports Day recognizes female athletes and their accomplishments while drawing attention to the state’s policies regarding athletic participation.
The observance also highlights the continuing role of organized sports in providing opportunities for young women and girls throughout Alabama.
