At the Sacramento LGBT Community Center, we believe that every individual, regardless of gender identity, deserves the right to participate in sports. Yet, the inclusion of transgender athletes remains a subject of intense debate, often fueled by misinformation and discriminatory policies. As an organization committed to equity and inclusion, we aim to dispel myths and advocate for policies that ensure fairness for all athletes. 

Current Legislative Landscape 

In 2021 alone, more than 70 anti-trans sports bills were introduced across 30 U.S. states, primarily targeting transgender girls and attempting to ban them from competing in girls’ sports (ACLU, 2021). These legislative efforts reflect broader patterns of discrimination against transgender people, rather than legitimate concerns about fairness in competition. 

While opponents frequently claim that transgender athletes have an “unfair advantage,” such claims often rely on unsubstantiated science and fail to consider the diversity of bodies and abilities present in all athletic competition. 

Policies at the Elite Level: International Olympic Committee (IOC) 

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has been at the forefront of trans inclusion in elite sports. In 2016, the IOC removed the requirement for transgender athletes to undergo genital surgery in order to compete. Instead, it introduced hormone regulation guidelines to create a more inclusive framework (IOC, 2016). 

In November 2021, the IOC released a landmark document, “Framework on Fairness, Inclusion, and Non-Discrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity and Sex Variations”, which: 

• Eliminated strict hormone regulations for transgender athletes. 

• Centered non-discrimination, mental and physical well-being, and privacy. 

• Established an evidence-based approach, requiring proof before assuming any competitive advantage. 

This framework prioritizes bodily autonomy and fairness, rejecting the presumption that transgender women automatically have an advantage in sports (IOC, 2021). 

The NCAA and Collegiate Sports 

For more than a decade (2011–2022), the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) had inclusive policies for transgender athletes. These policies allowed athletes to compete in teams aligned with their gender identity while maintaining hormone-related guidelines. 

However, in January 2022, the NCAA revised its guidelines to align more closely with the IOC but introduced new challenges: 

• It lacks protections against invasive medical procedures. 

• It places the burden of proof on transgender athletes to demonstrate they do not have an “unfair advantage.” 

• It does not align with the World Professional Association for Transgender Health’s (WPATH) Standards of Care. 

• It fails to engage with transgender and nonbinary athletes in decision-making (Athlete Ally, 2022). 

Despite the NCAA’s attempts to balance fairness and inclusion, these changes complicate participation for transgender athletes and place unnecessary barriers on their ability to compete. 

The Realities of Transgender Athletes in Sports 

Transgender Men in Sports 

Transgender men (individuals assigned female at birth who transition to male) often receive less scrutiny than transgender women. However, misconceptions persist: 

• Some claim that transgender men “cannot compete against cis men,” yet many do—some even excelling beyond their cisgender counterparts. 

• Others argue that transgender men taking testosterone are “doping,” despite strict NCAA regulations that require regular hormone level testing (Harper et al., 2021). 

Transgender Women in Sports 

The inclusion of transgender women in sports is the most contested issue. Opponents often cite testosterone levels and puberty-related advantages, but this argument is flawed: 

• Testosterone is not the sole determinant of athletic ability. Factors such as training, skill, and endurance are equally critical (Carroll, 2017). 

• Tall cisgender female athletes are praised for their “natural advantages,” but transgender women of similar height face accusations of unfairness (Buzuvis, 2020). 

• Black and brown female athletes, including cisgender women, have historically been policed and excluded from competition—a practice deeply rooted in racism and sexism (Harrison, 2021). 

For instance: 

• Michael Phelps, an Olympic swimmer, has biological advantages such as an abnormally long torso, a greater wingspan, and lower lactic acid production. He was praised for his genetics. 

• Caster Semenya, an intersex cisgender woman and two-time Olympic champion runner, was required to artificially lower her testosterone levels to compete. 

The double standard is evident: genetic advantages in cisgender men are celebrated, while similar traits in cisgender or transgender women are penalized. 

The Harm of Anti-Trans Athlete Bans 

Impact on Youth Sports 

Many anti-trans sports bans focus on children and adolescents, yet no significant biological differences exist between pre-pubescent athletes (Reisner et al., 2016). These laws: 

• Require gender verification, potentially leading to invasive genital examinations for all female athletes. 

• Policing of girls’ bodies disproportionately affects young cisgender female athletes who are perceived as “too masculine.” 

• Discourage youth participation in sports, affecting mental and physical well-being (TGEU, 2020). 

Trans Women Do Not Displace Cis Women in Sports 

A common myth is that transgender women take away opportunities from cisgender women. However, the data contradicts this claim: 

• As of 2020, no transgender woman had ever received an NCAA athletic scholarship. 

• Transgender women are vastly underrepresented in elite sports—if they had equal representation, around 50 trans women should have competed in the 2016 Olympics. Instead, none did (Pew Research, 2021). 

True Fairness in Sports 

If fairness is the goal, we should focus on real barriers to access: 

• Socioeconomic disparities: Many marginalized youth, particularly Black and brown athletes, face systemic obstacles in accessing sports programs. 

• Lack of funding: Schools and community programs often lack the resources to provide inclusive and equitable athletic opportunities. 

• Discrimination: Addressing racism, sexism, and transphobia in sports is essential for ensuring true fairness and equity. 

Instead of attacking transgender athletes, we should focus on creating a sporting environment where all athletes—cisgender and transgender alike—can compete safely and fairly. 

Conclusion 

The Sacramento LGBT Community Center stands firmly in support of transgender athletes at all levels of competition. The conversation about fairness in sports must be rooted in facts, not fear. Policies should reflect inclusion, equity, and respect for all athletes, rather than reinforce discrimination under the guise of fairness. 

We encourage our community to advocate for trans inclusion in sports and reject policies that harm transgender youth. If you want to get involved, visit our website to learn how you can support trans athletes and push for inclusive policies in your community. 

Sources Cited: 

• ACLU (2021). Tracking Anti-Trans Legislation. Retrieved from www.aclu.org 

• Athlete Ally (2022). The NCAA and Trans Inclusion. Retrieved from www.athleteally.org 

• Carroll, H. (2017). The Myth of Testosterone and Athletic Performance. Journal of Sports Science. 

• Harrison, C. (2021). Policing Black Women in Sports. Harvard Law Review. 

• IOC (2021). Framework on Fairness and Inclusion. Retrieved from www.olympics.com 

• Pew Research (2021). Transgender Representation in Sports. Pew Research Center.