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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

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

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

In this blog, we’ll take a look at the history of homophobia and transphobia in organized sports, the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ athletes, and the progress made toward inclusivity. Understanding this history isn’t just about looking back. It’s about recognizing the work still ahead of us to create a sports culture that celebrates diversity, safety, and respect for all. History of Homophobia in Organized Sport Early Sports Culture: Enforcing Gender Norms and Exclusion For much

Understanding Gender Policing in Sports Beyond the Binary: Heteronormativity, Gender Policing, and the Culture of Sport At You Can Play, we believe sports should be a space where every athlete—no matter their gender identity or sexuality—can show up, play hard, and be themselves without apology. But that’s not the norm yet. Too often, athletes are expected to conform to narrow, outdated ideas of who belongs, how to behave, and what’s considered “normal.” Enter heteronormativi

At You Can Play, we’re committed to creating a sports environment that is safe, inclusive, and respectful for every athlete, regardless of gender identity. Transgender athletes often face unique challenges in sports spaces, where transphobia can take many forms—from discriminatory legislation to harmful language. Transphobia in sports affects not only individual athletes but also the overall integrity of sports as a space for unity and achievement. In this blog post, we’ll ex

In the world of sports, the experiences of transgender and nonbinary sports participants are often misunderstood or overlooked. Now, a new research project aims to give voice to these stories, seeking to deepen understanding and awareness of the challenges and triumphs trans sport participants face. Ph.D. student Jess Hamdan, in collaboration with their advisor, Dr. Adam Love, at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is conducting a pivotal dissertation project on the exper

The question of whether transgender athletes have an unfair advantage in sports because of hormones is complex, highly debated, and...