Georgia gubernatorial contender Keisha Lance Bottoms says she would have rejected legislation blocking biological men from taking part in women’s sports if she had been governor.
“I don’t believe the government should be deciding who gets to participate in athletics,” Bottoms told voters during a Democratic primary debate held before she secured her party’s nomination.
The moderator cut in and restated the question: “So, you would have vetoed it?” The former Atlanta mayor replied, “Yes.”
The measure, called the Riley Gaines Act, became law under current Gov. Brian Kemp after clearing the Georgia Legislature in 2025. Named for former University of Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines—who lost her championship race to a biological male competing in the women’s category, Lia Thomas—the law requires that only biological women take part in women’s sports.
Bottoms’ comments add to her record of supporting pro‑transgender policies.
As mayor, the Biden‑backed candidate issued an administrative order converting more than 100 city‑owned single‑stall restrooms, including those at Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport, into all‑gender facilities.
She also brought Atlanta into Mayors Against LGBT Discrimination, a coalition pushing for inclusive, nondiscrimination measures across all levels of government.
In addition, Bottoms directed resources toward transgender housing initiatives and revised police standard operating procedures to strengthen protective engagement with the LGBTQ+ community.
Bottoms has not indicated whether she would try to undo the legislation if elected governor. If she succeeded, Georgia would join states that have adopted policies permitting biological men to compete in women’s sports.
Bottoms will face the winner of Georgia’s Republican gubernatorial primary runoff scheduled for June 26. The frontrunner—current Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, who captured 38% of the vote in the May primary while his opponent received 32%—praised the enactment of the Riley Gaines Act under his leadership.
“Here in Georgia, we are keeping our promises and delivering on our commitments to the people of Georgia—especially our female athletes,” the Trump‑endorsed candidate said in a press release. “As the father of a female athlete, nothing matters more to me than ensuring that women’s sports are genuinely protected in Georgia.”
