Transgender athletes Archives

House passes bill that bans trans athletes from playing in women sports

January 14, 2025

The House passed a bill barring schools that receive federal funds from allowing transgender athletes to participate in women’s sports on Tuesday, Jan. 14. The final vote fell largely along party lines, Republicans voted for it unanimously, all but three Democrats voted against it.

“As a father of two daughters, I can tell you very clearly that there is no scenario or situation where I would want to see my daughters competing against biological males,” Rep. Riley Moore, R-W.V., said.

“This bill is sloppy, vague and prejudiced,” Rep. Sara Jacobs, D-Calif., said.

The legislation is officially called the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act. The bill makes it a violation of Title IX for sports programs to permit a male to participate in an athletic activity that is designated for females. It states sex is recognized solely on the person’s reproductive biology at birth.

“What should be an opportunity for young women to thrive and compete has been clouded by an agenda that prioritized so-called inclusion over fairness,” Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Minn., said.

Democrats oppose the bill for many reasons. One of their biggest concerns is that it does not distinguish programs based on age or competition level.

”They contend it could apply to young girls playing in grade-school leagues the same as it does to NCAA athletes, so long as the program receives federal funding. The bill’s exact language is, “participation with any athletic team.”

“This is interrogation of young girls about their bodies, this is asking people to show them what is underneath their underwear,” Rep. Becca Balint, D-Vt., said. “It’s vile, it’s twisted, they don’t want to talk about the details. It’s an absolute invasion of children’s privacy.”

The House approved the bill last year but it was never considered in the Senate. It’s unclear if it could get 60 votes in that chamber, even with the new Republican majority.

Judge blocks Biden’s Title IX changes, including ‘gender identity’ protections

January 9, 2025

A federal judge has blocked the Biden administration’s new Title IX rule, which changed language in the law’s ban on “sex” discrimination in schools to cover discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation. The rule, which took effect in August 2023, has been challenged by more than two dozen states.

The rule change has drawn strong support from Democrats. They argue it would fortify protections against discrimination for transgender individuals. They also say it would require teachers to use pronouns that align with a student’s gender identity.

Republicans have strongly opposed the rule. They argue it would force women to share private spaces –– such as locker rooms and bathrooms –– with biological men and allow transgender women to compete in women’s sports.

A U.S. district judge in Kentucky sided with the Republican attorneys general who filed the lawsuit. In his ruling, Judge Danny C. Reeves wrote, “The entire point of Title IX is to prevent discrimination based on sex. Throwing gender identity into the mix eviscerates the statute and renders it largely meaningless.”

Reeves further explained that, when viewed in its entirety, Title IX clearly defines sex discrimination as discrimination based on being male or female, not gender identity.

In response to the ruling, the National Women’s Law Center, an advocacy group for gender justice, wrote, “Today’s decision displays extraordinary disregard for students who are most vulnerable to discrimination and are in the most need for federal protections under the Title IX rule.”

A conservative legal advocacy group, Alliance Defending Freedom, praised the decision, stating, “The Biden administration’s radical attempt to redefine sex not only tossed fairness, safety, and privacy for female students out the window, it also threatened free speech and parental rights.”

The ruling comes as Senate Republicans are introducing a bill, the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act. The bill would bar transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports at public schools and colleges. A procedural vote on the bill is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 10.

Texas sues NCAA for ‘deception’ over transgender athletes in women’s sports

December 23, 2024

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit against the NCAA. In the lawsuit, Paxton accuses the organization of misleading fans by allowing transgender athletes to compete in women’s college sports.

Paxton claims the NCAA is deceiving fans who want to support athletes assigned female at birth. In the lawsuit filed Sunday, Dec. 22, he argued that the NCAA violated the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act by permitting transgender athletes to participate in events marketed as women’s competitions.

He also accused the NCAA of further deception by failing to identify which athletes are transgender. Paxton argues this jeopardizes the safety and well-being of female athletes.

Paxton is asking the court to either limit the participation of transgender athletes in NCAA competitions held in Texas or prevent the NCAA from labeling events as “women’s sports” when they include transgender women.

In response, the NCAA issued a statement that didn’t directly address the claims in the lawsuit. However, the response reiterated its commitment to supporting women’s sports.

“The Association and its members will continue to promote Title IX, make unprecedented investments in women’s sports and ensure fair competition in all NCAA championships,” the statement read.

The lawsuit follows a recent Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, where NCAA President Charlie Baker was questioned by lawmakers. When asked about transgender athletes, Baker said he’s aware of fewer than 10 transgender athletes competing among the more than 500,000 athletes in NCAA sports.

Disney pulls transgender storyline from upcoming Pixar series

December 18, 2024

Even though the show isn’t out yet, Disney has cut a storyline from its new animated series. The storyline in one episode of Pixar’s “Win or Lose” was set to center around the gender identity of a trans character.

Disney officials said the transgender character will still be in the show. However, Disney cut the story line revolving around the character’s gender.

“When it comes to animated content for a younger audience, we recognize that many parents would prefer to discuss certain subjects with their children on their own terms and timeline,” Disney said in a statement released Tuesday, Dec. 17.

Chanel Stewart, who voiced the character in question, was “very disheartened” by the change, Deadline Hollywood reported.

“From the moment I got the script, I was excited to share my journey to help empower other trans youth,” Stewart said. “I knew this would be a very important conversation. Trans stories matter, and they deserve to be heard.”

This isn’t the first time Disney has pulled a trans storyline before it aired. Disney Channel’s animated series “Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur” made headlines recently after some who worked on the show took to social media saying Disney banned the release of an episode focused on a recurring transgender character.

Disney denied “banning” the episode. Officials said the decision to hold its release was not because of the transgender character inclusion.

Disney-Pixar’s “Win or Lose” centers around a co-ed middle school softball team in the run-up to its championship game. It premieres on Disney+ on Feb. 19.

Disney originally planned to air the show on Dec. 6 as Pixar’s first-ever animated series. However, the company ended up swapping dates with Pixar’s other new series, “Dream Productions.” That story is based on the character of Riley from “Inside Out.”

LPGA and USGA update policies for transgender players in 2025

December 5, 2024

The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) and the United States Golf Association (USGA) have updated their gender policies, which will go into effect in 2025. In official releases Wednesday, Dec. 4, the LPGA and USGA announced that players must be assigned female at birth, or have been male at birth but did not go through male puberty before transitioning, to compete in most tournaments.

For the LPGA, the new guidelines will apply to all tournaments.

The LPGA explained that the new gender policy was developed after a “working group of top experts in medicine, science, sport physiology, golf performance, and gender policy law… advised that the effects of male puberty confer competitive advantages in golf performance compared to players who have not undergone male puberty.”

LPGA Commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan said, “The policy represents our continued commitment to ensuring that all feel welcome within our organization, while preserving the fairness and competitive equity of our elite competitions.”

For the USGA, its new “Competitive Fairness Gender Policy” applies to eight of its championships.

The official release states, “We recognize that scientific studies show sports performance differences exist between biological sexes and that those performance differences begin to occur during the onset of puberty. These differences are primarily due to the exposure of substantially higher levels of testosterone in biological males during puberty and beyond. Accordingly, this USGA Competitive Fairness Gender Policy establishes the gender eligibility criteria for any athlete wishing to compete in USGA championships or as a member of a USGA team, and places conditions on competition as necessary to ensure that competitive fairness is maintained.”

The updated gender policies have a particular impact on one golfer –– transgender player Hailey Davidson, 32, who last competed as a male in 2015.

Davidson, born male, began medically transitioning to the gender identity of a woman at around 22 years old, undergoing gender-affirming surgery in 2021.

Davidson competed on the NXXT Women’s Pro Golf Tour and finished 95th at the second stage of LPGA Q School in October.

Davidson’s hopes of advancing in a professional career, either competing in the LPGA or Epson Tours, were quashed by the implementation of the new gender policies.

In multiple Instagram posts, Davidson responded to the news, writing, “Can’t say I didn’t see this coming… Banned from the Epson and the LPGA. All the silence and people wanting to stay ‘neutral.’ Thanks for absolutely nothing. This happened because of all your silence.”

Both the LPGA and USGA say they will continue to monitor and evaluate their policies, reserving the right to amend the policies at any time.

Controversy after volleyball teams opt out of SJSU matches over trans athlete

November 12, 2024

San Jose State University’s volleyball team has become the focal point of a national debate over transgender athletes’ participation in women’s sports. This has sparked a wave of forfeits, a coach suspension, and public statements from high-profile political figures.

Several Mountain West Conference (MWC) teams, including Wyoming, Boise State, Utah State and Southern Utah, have forfeited matches against San Jose State. The schools have cited concerns about fairness and safety due to a transgender athlete on the SJSU roster.

The forfeits began in October when Boise State and Utah State withdrew from matches with SJSU. Other teams followed suit, with players citing safety and a desire to protect the “integrity of women’s sports.”

In one instance, the University of Nevada’s volleyball team considered a forfeit before ultimately deciding to play, with players stating their solidarity with those who had forfeited but choosing to honor scheduled matches.

The issue gained widespread attention in November when President-elect Donald Trump publicly voiced support for the forfeitures. He framed the situation as a safety risk and aligned with state officials, including governors from Idaho, Utah and Wyoming.

Trump pointed to what he described as “a safety incident” involving the athlete, though San Jose State later clarified the circumstances of the referenced event.

San Jose State also faced internal challenges, suspending assistant volleyball coach Melissa Batie-Smoose. The suspension came after her public comments on Fox News questioning the inclusion of transgender athletes in women’s sports.

The Mountain West Conference clarified that San Jose State’s transgender athlete meets NCAA and conference eligibility requirements. That means forfeiting teams will incur official losses, impacting their standings and potential qualification for the upcoming MWC tournament in Las Vegas.

The forfeitures and backlash have also raised questions about future conference policies and legal frameworks, as universities balance state-level political influences with federal laws regarding inclusivity in sports. Other MWC teams are expected to weigh in on whether they will participate in matches with San Jose State.

As the debate continues, the situation at San Jose State has become a flashpoint in the evolving discourse on gender and athletics, with implications that may resonate beyond the MWC.

Transgender athletes in sports a ‘sleeper’ issue this election: WSJ

October 16, 2024

On Sunday, Oct. 13, the Wall Street Journal Editorial Board wrote that transgender athletes in sports is now a sleeper issue in the 2024 election. The article noted three specific U.S. Senate races where the topic is key: Ohio, Montana and Wisconsin.

The issue is currently controversial in college sports. Nearly a half-dozen teams have forfeited their women’s volleyball matches against San Jose State University because the university has a transgender woman on the team. The player was born a male but identifies as a woman.

One opponent said their team demands a right to safety and fair competition, and they refuse to participate in any match that advances injustice against female athletes.

A 2023 Gallup poll found that 93% of Republican respondents believe transgender athletes should only be allowed to compete on teams that match their birth gender, compared to 6% who said they should be allowed to compete on teams that match their current identity.

Meanwhile, 48% of Democrat respondents said transgender athletes should only play on teams that match their birth gender and 47% said they should play on teams that match their current identity.

In a town hall that is set to air on Fox News, former President Donald Trump said he would ban or stop transgender women from playing girls sports.

As for Vice President Kamala Harris, the group Advocates for Trans Equality has endorsed her, saying she has shown an unwavering commitment to advancing the well-being of the transgender community.

Supreme Court returns to hear cases on guns, porn, transgender rights

October 7, 2024

A new United States Supreme Court term begins Monday, Oct. 7, with the nine justices returning to the bench from their summer break to decide on dozens of cases, including those involving guns, the adult entertainment industry and transgender issues.

On Tuesday, Oct. 8, the court will hear arguments on a case concerning the regulation of “ghost guns.” Manufacturers and gun rights groups argue the Biden administration overstepped its authority to require background checks on these types of firearm kits.

Later in their term, the justices will weigh in on Tennessee’s law that restricts puberty blockers and hormone therapy for minors. The high court will also take on the case of a Texas law requiring age verification for pornographic websites.

The new term runs until next summer.

Missouri now requiring proof of surgery to change gender on IDs

August 20, 2024

A quiet move just made it harder for Missouri residents to change their gender on their driver’s license. Previously, all residents had to do was fill out a gender designation change request form and get it approved by a physician, therapist or social worker — but that has changed.

Under the new Department of Revenue rule, residents will have to prove they’ve had transitioning surgery or they’ll have to get a court order to make the change.

Missouri LGBTQ+ rights advocacy group PROMO is calling on the department’s director to explain the “sudden shift in policy.” The group has also launched a campaign that allows people to file reports if they’re struggling to get their name or gender marker changed.

The move comes after some Republican state lawmakers questioned the old policy on gender identifications. This follows protests and counterprotests in August over a transgender woman’s use of women’s changing rooms at a suburban St. Louis gym.

Florida school staffer suspended for letting trans daughter play on girls’ team

August 1, 2024

A south Florida school district employee has been suspended from her job for allowing her transgender daughter to play on a high school girls’ volleyball team. The Broward County School Board voted 5-4 to suspend Jessica Norton for 10 days without pay for violating Florida’s Fairness in Women’s Sports Act.

Under Florida’s law, public secondary school and college sports teams are required to be designated based on “biological sex.” The state defines biological sex as the one printed on the student’s official birth certificate at or near the time of birth.

Norton will also no longer be able to work for the district as a computer specialist, but she must be given a different job with equal responsibility and pay.

https://twitter.com/FLVoiceNews/status/1803820190024556908

Norton and several other school staff members were reassigned to non-school sites while the district investigated. She was the only one not cleared of any wrongdoing.

In December, state officials placed Monarch High School — where Norton’s 16-year-old daughter has been on the girls’ varsity team the last two season — on administrative probation for a year and fined the school $16,500 for allowing her to play on the team.

Norton’s daughter was also told by the Florida High School Athletics Association that she is banned from playing sports for an FHSAA school through November of this year.