CRANSTON, R.I. — The Rhode Island Center for Freedom & Prosperity announced Wednesday that it has received more than 160 petition signatures from residents urging the Rhode Island Interscholastic League (RIIL) to end its policy allowing biological boys to compete in girls’ K-12 sports.

The issue has sparked national debate following recent changes to federal law. In New England, the Biden administration has initiated enforcement actions against the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association for permitting transgender students to participate in female sports. Similar civil rights investigations are underway in Maine, Minnesota and California.

“Our Governor, our Education Director, and RIIL’s Executive Director are not only supporting policies that put young girls at severe risk of physical or emotional harm, but they are also putting our state and each and every school district at risk of violating federal law, which could lead to a loss of federal funding, civil rights investigations, or a direct lawsuit by a harmed young girl,” said Mike Stenhouse, the Center’s CEO

The petition, available at RIFreedom.org/girlssports, was launched last week and expresses support for an open letter previously published by prominent Rhode Island sports figures. The letter calls on RIIL to repeal its gender identity policy. Upon signing, emails are automatically sent to RIIL and Rhode Island Department of Education officials, as well as state legislative and executive leaders.

The petition also collects personal comments from signers, which are shared with officials. The Center says these comments illustrate broad opposition to RIIL’s policy. A January 2025 New York Times and Ipsos survey found that 79% of Americans, including two-thirds of Democrats, support restricting transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports.

The open letter is signed by several former Rhode Island student-athletes and professional players, including basketball stars Joe Hassett and Kevin Stacom, hockey player Bill Bennett, baseball players Mike and David Stenhouse, and football player Malcolm Najarian.