An Arizona Democratic lawmaker admitted that men identifying as transgender women are actually men, but that females opposed to their inclusion in sports just aren’t competitive enough.
State Sen. Catherine Miranda, a Democrat representing the 11th district, made the remarks during this week’s hearing on HCR 2003 in the Senate Education Committee.
That legislation was passed by the House last month and would require athletic associations sponsoring interscholastic or intramural sport to designate each sport based on the sex of the participating athletes. It would also prohibit individuals from using any private spaces for athletes that don’t correspond with their sex. All Democrats on the Senate Education Committee voted against the legislation.
Kaylie Ray, an NCAA Division I volleyball athlete at Utah State University, testified in support of the bill and as a consequence was subjected to Miranda’s criticisms questioning Ray’s dedication to her sport. Ray recounted how she and her team were forced to compete against a male starter who identified as a female in college, and noted the striking physical advantages he and other male athletes possess.
“My teammates and I feared for our safety, and we were disheartened by the lack of fairness,” said Ray. “Our basic right to fair and safe competition was violated because the people who were meant to protect us decided that validating this individual’s identity was more important. And let me be clear: bodies play sports, not identities.”
Sen. Miranda dismissed Ray’s testimony as a weakness of mind, not physical disadvantages. Miranda said that Ray and other females opposed to competing against males identifying as females lacked “a sports mentality,” and that they were weaker for it.
“It’s the individual person on how competitive you want to be,” said Miranda. “You grew up one way, I grew up a different way. I would have taken on men in a heartbeat.”
Miranda indicated Ray and other females opposed to males in sports weren’t sufficiently competitive or serious about their sports.
“So, how competitive do you think you really are?” asked Miranda.
“I would have taken on a man in a heartbeat.”
AZ State Sen. Catherine Miranda criticized Utah State volleyball captain @kaylieray13 for forfeiting against San Jose State’s team with a male player, suggesting she lacked competitive spirit.
Worth noting: the Senator did not play… pic.twitter.com/V3r9bYncrW
— ICONS (@icons_women) March 12, 2026
In 2023, North Carolina high school volleyball player Payton McNabb suffered a traumatic brain injury and neck injuries after a male identifying as a female spiked a ball in her face during a match. Countless girls and women over the years have sustained such an injury from other female players. Since a male was behind the ball, the outcome was much different for McNabb.
Watch the clip of Payton McNabb getting spiked in the face by a male competing with the women. Then watch her testimony she gave today for the first time publicly. I was honored to stand alongside her in NC to continue the fight to protect women's sports. pic.twitter.com/mvJmwprkaX
— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) April 20, 2023
Miranda’s remarks implied that she and Ray shared equal footing as athletes. However, Miranda only played basketball at the high school level. She did not compete in college or professionally.
Miranda has claimed in various biographies that she received scholarship offers to play basketball for South Mountain Community College and Arizona State University, but was forced to decline due to ACL injuries. Miranda has only ever offered verbal proof of these claims.
In explaining her vote against HCR 2003, Miranda claimed lawmakers were addressing a non-issue. Miranda said the legislation was “discriminatory” and an “attack” on LGBTQ+-identifying individuals.
“It’s out of reach, it’s out of touch, it’s out of reality,” said Miranda.
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