Trans Athletes + Title IX

What is the relationship between Trans Athletes and Title IX?

Title IX is a federal civil rights law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in educational programs and activities that receive federal funding, including school athletics.

For many years, debates surrounding transgender athlete participation have centered on how Title IX should be interpreted. Different presidential administrations have taken different approaches to whether protections based on sex also extend to gender identity.

The relationship between transgender athletes and Title IX centers on how schools and educational institutions ensure equal access and nondiscrimination for all students, including those who are transgender, in athletic programs. This includes determining eligibility criteria for transgender athletes to compete in accordance with their gender identity, a subject that has sparked debate and varied policies across different states and educational bodies.

Under the Obama administration, guidance was issued that interpreted Title IX protections to extend to transgender students, including their right to participate in sports consistent with their gender identity. However, subsequent administrations have taken different stances, leading to a patchwork of state laws and school policies across the country. Some states have enacted laws that restrict the participation of transgender athletes in sports teams that align with their gender identity, citing fairness and competitive balance as reasons. These laws have led to legal challenges arguing that they violate Title IX by discriminating against transgender students.

The Biden administration signaled its intention to strengthen protections for transgender students under Title IX, proposing amendments to expand the law's protections to explicitly include sexual orientation and gender identity. This move aims to ensure that all students, regardless of their gender identity, have equal access to sports and educational opportunities in a discrimination-free environment.

In February 2025, President Donald Trump signed Executive Order 14201, "Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports," directing federal agencies to interpret Title IX in a manner that restricts participation in girls' and women's sports based on sex assigned at birth. The order also authorizes federal agencies to investigate educational institutions that permit transgender girls and women to compete in women's categories.

Following the executive order, the NCAA revised its participation policy, limiting competition in women's sports to athletes assigned female at birth. This sweeping policy left a lot of questions unanswered for intersex, trans masculine, and non-binary athletes.

At the same time, international sport has continued to evolve independently of U.S. federal policy. In 2026, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) adopted a new eligibility framework for women's competition that significantly restricts participation by transgender women who experienced male puberty prior to transition. The policy will apply across Olympic competition beginning with qualification pathways for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

It is important to understand that Title IX, NCAA policy, Olympic eligibility rules, and individual sport governing body policies are separate systems. A policy change at one level does not automatically determine participation rules at another. School districts, state athletic associations, collegiate conferences, national governing bodies, professional leagues, and international federations may each operate under different requirements.

As legal challenges and policy developments continue, organizations across sport remain focused on balancing inclusion, participation opportunities, athlete safety, competitive fairness, and compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The landscape continues to evolve, making it important for athletes, coaches, administrators, and fans to stay informed about the specific rules governing their sport and level of competition.

The relation of transgender athletes to Title IX is a complex and evolving issue that intersects with broader societal debates about gender, rights, and equality in sports and education. It highlights the ongoing efforts to balance the principles of fairness, inclusion, and nondiscrimination in the context of competitive sports.

Click here for more information on Trans Athletes and our policy work to make sports inclusive for all.