President Donald Trump of the United States recently signed an executive order that prohibits transgender athletes from participating in women’s sports. The order, signed on Wednesday, states that educational institutions will lose federal funding if they allow transgender girls and women to compete in female sports and use female locker rooms.
Additionally, the order instructs government agencies to support sex-based female sports categories in international organizations and convene representatives of major athletic organizations to promote fair and safe policies for female athletes.
Trump warned schools receiving taxpayer dollars that they will be investigated for Title IX violations if they allow men to participate in women’s sports teams or use female facilities. He expressed his administration’s commitment to ending the “war on women’s sport” and ensuring the protection of female athletes from unfair competition.
The president also announced plans to urge the International Olympic Committee to endorse sex-based participation before the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, calling for changes regarding transgender athletes in sports.
While the controversy surrounding transgender athletes is a hot topic in the US, the number of individuals involved remains small. National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) President Charlie Baker stated that there are fewer than 10 transgender athletes among the 520,000 athletes at colleges nationwide.
A 2023 Gallup poll revealed that 69% of Americans believe that transgender athletes should only compete on teams that align with their biological sex, showing a growing opposition to trans women’s participation in sports.
Responding to Trump’s executive order, Baker praised the move for establishing a clear national standard and expressed the NCAA’s commitment to aligning its policies accordingly.
LGBT advocacy group Athlete Ally expressed sadness over the impact of the executive order on trans youth, emphasizing their commitment to continuing to promote inclusivity and access to sports for all individuals.
On the other hand, LGBTQ rights organization GLAAD criticized Trump’s order as inaccurate and incoherent, arguing that all women and girls, including transgender individuals, should have the freedom to participate in sports and make decisions about their bodies without discrimination.
Trump has issued several executive orders targeting transgender individuals since taking office, including policies on recognizing only two sexes, banning transgender military service, and defunding gender transitions for minors.
