The NCAA, the body that governs college sports in the U.S., announced a ban on transgender women in women’s sports on Thursday. The move comes a day after President Donald Trump signed an executive order aiming to prevent transgender women and girls from participating in female sports.
Trump’s order was supported by those who believe it would restore fairness to women’s competitions. However, critics argue that it harms the rights of transgender athletes.
The new NCAA policy states that any student-athlete assigned male at birth is not allowed to compete on a women’s team. The policy is based on the sex assigned at birth and what is listed on the birth certificate.
Previously, the NCAA allowed transgender women to compete as long as their testosterone levels were within specific limits for each sport.
Trump praised the NCAA’s decision in a post on social media, writing, “IT IS NOW BANNED!” He added, “This is a great day for women and girls across our Country. Men should have NEVER been allowed to compete against women in the first place. I am proud to be the President to SAVE Women’s Sports.” Trump also said he expected the Olympics to adopt similar rules.
The change affects a small group of athletes. NCAA President Charlie Baker mentioned in December that fewer than 10 transgender athletes compete among the 530,000 athletes at 1,100 schools.
Despite this, the issue has sparked political debate, with Trump making it a point during his 2024 presidential campaign. He has also pushed other policies against transgender rights, such as banning transgender individuals from military service and restricting access to gender-affirming care for minors.
After Trump signed the executive order, the NCAA welcomed the clarity it provided in light of conflicting state laws. The NCAA’s Board of Governors quickly changed its policy, applying it immediately to all sports. Member schools are now responsible for certifying eligibility, and the policy cannot be waived.
Transgender men will still be allowed to compete in men’s sports as long as they meet all other eligibility requirements. However, transgender women who begin hormone therapy, like testosterone injections, will not be allowed to compete on women’s teams.
LGBTQ rights groups strongly criticized Trump’s order. Advocates for Trans Equality called the NCAA’s decision “discriminatory and unconstitutional.”
The executive order also threatens to cut off federal funding for high schools that let transgender girls compete in women’s sports. Additionally, it seeks to pressure the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to ban transgender athletes and deny visas to transgender women and girls who want to compete in the U.S.
The IOC has allowed transgender athletes to compete as long as fairness is maintained. In response to Trump’s order, the IOC said it would continue to work with international sports federations to address the issue.
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