Transgender Sports Rights in the U.S.

Recently, The Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act has been passed by the US House of Representatives, which bans transgender women and girls (biological males) from participating in female athletic competitions, practices, and other sports activities. The votes were commensurable, with equal totals for both Republicans and Democrats in the House of Representatives. All Democrats voted against the passing of the act, while all Republicans voted in favor of it. Despite the strong influence many Republicans have had on this act, the White House has stated that President Biden would veto it if passed in the Senate, thereby preventing it from becoming a US law. Upon closer examination of both sides’ viewpoints, this act may have either harmful or beneficial effects for each side.

In an effort to protect the well-being of transgender athletes, the Democratic board strives to include these marginalized athletes in their own consideration and eudaimonia. Democrats argue that further discrimination will target those who are part of the LGBTQ+ community by removing their athletics, increasing bullying and hate, and discouraging their participation in sports, ultimately leading to a prohibited and unstable youth. Additionally, others argue that targeting transgender children and teens at a young age would have a social and emotional impact on them due to the exclusion they would be forced to endure, including being unable to play on a team with friends, participate in sports, and being addressed unequally.

An important factor noted throughout the democratic party is the topic of transgender status in the U.S.. With over 1.6 million people part of the transgender population, their presence has been a target of prejudice and hate, especially in schools. Transgender people are four times more likely to be victims of assault than those cisgender, and typically have higher rates of property victimization and violence. One of the concerning effects of these violent encounters is the reluctance to report them; over half of attacks towards transgender people were not reported. 

Known as Title IX, this amendment from 1972 protects people from discrimination and inequality based on sex in education programs or activities, including those of transgender status. With the recent protection act of women and girls in sports, it puts the question of choosing equality or wellbeing over one another.

On the opposing hand, many Republicans argue to remove transgender individuals from public facilities as well as sports. Republicans contend that it is unsafe and unsuitable for biological men to be in public facilities with biological women, and unfair for transgender women athletes to compete with cisgender teams because of the biological advantage they possess over the opposing players who are cisgender. Many states, such as North Carolina, have persisted in resolving these inequitable issues within competitive sports, with the potential impact that accepting transgender athletes could have on players.

Payton McNabb, a high school senior volleyball player, spoke out about the impact of the injuries she sustained due to the immense power of the opposing team’s transgender player. McNabb, playing on her school team at Hiwassee Dam High School, was struck by the opposing transgender player, who spiked the ball towards her, resulting in numerous head and neck injuries, vision problems, as well as a concussion. These severe injuries not only impacted McNabb’s health but also suspended her from playing volleyball to the present day. “It is the intent that all students are able to compete on a level playing field, in a safe, competitive and friendly environment free of discrimination,” McNabb stated, in an effort to protect other cisgender females from encountering the same incident she had the year prior. In relation to the physical advantage biological males possess over females in athletics, volleyball is one of the sports that is altered depending on gender. For example, nets used in men’s games are around 7’ 11⅝”, while nets used in women’s games are 7’ 4⅓”. Not only does net height differ significantly, but a study from the Sage Journal provides evidence of a clearer advantage males have over females in volleyball. On April 19, 2023, the state of North Carolina issued The Fairness in Women’s Sports Act, passing closely by only two votes.

Similarly to North Carolina, over 18 states have passed acts prohibiting the involvement of transgender athletes in competitive sports, including Texas, Florida, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, and Missouri. Following previous actions regarding the LGBTQ+ community, southern-eastern states (with exceptions) have taken more action in removing the acceptance of transgender athletes than northern-western have. 

As a high school student, I have encountered many examples of interpersonal oppression towards students part of the LGBTQ+ community, and one of my hopes is for schools in the U.S. to find a solution in order to protect biological female athletes as well as finding a way to involve transgender student athletes in competitive sports and activities.  

US Department of Education (ED). (2021, August 20). Title IX and sex discrimination. Home. Retrieved May 5, 2023, from https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/tix_dis.html

Fact sheet: U.S. Department of Education’s proposed change to its title IX regulations on students’ eligibility for athletic teams. FACT SHEET: U.S. Department of Education’s Proposed Change to its Title IX Regulations on Students’ Eligibility for Athletic Teams | U.S. Department of Education. (2023, April 6). Retrieved May 5, 2023, from https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/fact-sheet-us-department-educations-proposed-change-its-title-ix-regulations-students-eligibility-athletic-teams

Wong, S. (2023, April 20). House Republicans pass transgender sports ban for schools. NBCNews.com. Retrieved May 5, 2023, from https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/house-republicans-poised-pass-transgender-sports-ban-schools-rcna80102

Schemel, A. (2023, April 21). Injured volleyball player speaks out after alleged transgender opponent spiked ball at her. WLOS. https://wlos.com/news/local/volleyball-player-injured-after-transgender-opponent-spiked-ball-at-her-speaks-out