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What does the research actually say about trans people in sport? Currently, scientific research has not revealed an explicit, uniform consensus regarding the impact of hormone replacement therapy and puberty blockers on athletic performance. Some studies suggest that gender affirming hormone therapy contributes to a decrease in athletic performance for transgender women, particularly in endurance-based metrics. This performance decrease can be due to the loss in muscle mass,

What is the role of Title IX in all of this? Title IX is a federal civil rights law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in educational programs and activities that receive federal funding, including school-based athletics. Title IX has been interpreted into three policy areas within athletics: equal financial assistance and allocation, equal resource distribution (including facilities and equipment), and equal athletic opportunities that accommodate for the interests and

In order to understand why authorities are trying to ban transgender athletes from sports, it’s important to explore the role and importance of sport to our communities. Sports act as a smaller mirror to society, reflecting different cultural values and messages. These ideologies are how people interpret ideas surrounding concepts such as gender, race, social class, and ability. Additionally, sports have a coveted influence on an individual’s family life and a nation’s econom

How do trans-exclusionary policies and laws hurt all women and girls? At their core, transgender-exclusionary policies and laws police and call into question what it means to be a woman, ultimately creating a system of surveillance that inevitably turns on the very women it claims to protect. Furthermore, this system only aims to protect a selective group of women who fulfill a Western, White, middle-upper class notion of womanhood and femininity. Women who fall outside of th

What's going on at the Supreme Court? The two most recent Supreme Court Cases on the right for transgender athletes to participate in sport aligning with their gender identity are West Virginia v. B. P. J. and Little v. Hecox. B. P. J. is an adolescent transgender girl who has taken hormone suppressors and estrogen treatments and wanted to participate in the girls’ team at her middle school. Hecox is an adult transgender woman who was prohibited from trying out for her colleg

Although both organizational policies and laws can both establish rules and regulations, there are some key differences between the two. Laws are established by the local, state, or federal government, while sports policies are established by governing bodies, leagues, or teams. There are also different types of laws, which have different functions and scopes. Constitutional laws, for instance, are mostly applicable to institutions known as state actors (people, groups, insti

I disagree with a policy. What can I do? If you disagree with a sports policy, you can advocate for changes within the organization. First, identify the appropriate governing body with the most authority. For instance, the New Mexico Activities Association requires participation to align with the sex assigned on the birth certificate, but there is no participation ban in the state’s laws. Therefore, it would be appropriate to advocate to the NMAA for change. In South Carolina

There is no exact measure of how many trans athletes are participating in sports today. However, multiple studies have suggested that transgender individuals are significantly less likely to participate in sports compared to their cisgender counterparts, likely due to a fear of discrimination (Goldberg, 2021). A study examining the sexual orientations and gender identities of NCAA athletes showed that 97.8 % identified as cisgender and 1.6 % identified as transgender or nonbi

The policymakers for the guidelines regarding transgender participation in sports differ depending on the level of competition and type of sport. In the United States, interscholastic youth sports are typically governed by the state’s interscholastic athletic association or the school board. The state legislature can also develop rules for interscholastic sports in public schools. Outside of schools, youth sports are decentralized in the United States and there is no one for

What are the degrees and extents of different trans athlete bans? Most bans restrict participation on women’s teams to exclude transgender women. Some policies may allow for participation after a certain amount of time undergoing testosterone suppression has passed. Some, but not all, of the policies also restrict participation on men’s teams to exclude transgender men. Other policies allow anyone to participate on men’s teams, regardless of sex assigned at birth. Transgende

All In, All the Time For Jonathan Scott lacrosse is more than just a sport; it is a tradition, a means of teaching and a reflection of the way we treat each other. Having been a coach for most of his life and spending four decades playing the game, Scott has had a wide experience of it, including in prep schools, college programs, national tournaments and youth leagues. H e is also a consultant in crisis communications, a former congressional candidate and a lecturer on leade

You've may have heard about Colorado’s most recent trans athlete ban initiative. #109 is a ballot measure that would ban trans girls and women from school sports in Colorado. You might think it's just another sports bill, or a way to protect women in sports. It's not. Here's why this one matters more than it looks. It's not actually about sports. The measure doesn't just set eligibility rules. It opens the door to gender checks of girls who are "too fast," "too good," or don

When the International Olympic Committee announced its decision to ban transgender women from women’s competition, it was positioned as a move to protect women’s sport. But if you take a step back and look at what this policy actually does-not what it claims to do-it becomes clear that it doesn’t protect women at all, it puts them at risk. Not just transgender women--all women. For decades, women’s sport has fought for greater access, more investment, and the simple recogniti

We’re excited to welcome Daniel Holland to the You Can Play team as our new Partnerships Lead! You Can Play welcomes Daniel Holland as our new partnerships lead. Daniel joins You Can Play at a pivotal moment in our work, as we continue to expand from awareness-driven efforts toward deeper, system-level impact across sport. He brings more than two decades of experience in partnership development, revenue generation, and inclusive communications; helping organizations translate

Few issues in sports have generated as much public debate in recent years as transgender athlete participation. Media coverage and political rhetoric often frame the topic as a major crisis in athletics, yet the actual number of transgender athletes competing remains very small. Much of the public conversation is shaped by misunderstandings about biology, sports governance, and the purpose of sports participation. sports experts + medical research debunk 20 myths about trans

Over the past few years, transgender athletes have become one of the most debated topics in sports. Behind the noise, three questions matter most: What is the global status of trans athlete policies? What does science actually say about biology and athletic advantage? Why did this issue become such a political flashpoint in the first place? Global policy updates, best practices, and current research This guide breaks down the evidence, the history, and the misconceptions sha

Best Practices for Trans Athlete Participation While debates about transgender athletes often focus on elite competition, most sports organizations are simply trying to answer a practical question: what policies actually work? A guide of best practices to expanding participation categories + including trans and gender diverse athletes in your sport. Many leagues, schools, and governing bodies have already developed frameworks that balance inclusion, fairness, and safety. The

The holiday season can be a time of joy and connection, but for many LGBTQ+ athletes, it can also bring moments of uncertainty. With the rise in public tension and political hostility toward LGBTQ+ people, some athletes may enter the holiday break feeling anxious about going home, managing strained relationships, or losing the sense of safety they feel with their team. Supporting LGBTQ+ Athletes Around the Holidays As a coach or mentor, you have a unique opportunity to create

In a time when the conversation surrounding sports and gender is rife with controversy, quadball is quietly yet powerfully rewriting the narrative. This coed, full-contact sport is thriving against all odds and gearing up for its largest World Cup yet, to be held in Belgium in July 2025. Photo Credits: Major League Quidditch What is Quadball? Originally inspired by the fictional sport quidditch , quadball has grown into a legitimate athletic endeavor that blends elements of r

For LGBTQ+ youth, sports can be a powerful source of growth, connection, and empowerment—but only if teams and organizations commit to...