Women’s rights groups call on Donald Trump to demand NCAA change trans athlete policies
A coalition of women’s advocacy organizations has recently called on President-elect Donald Trump to intervene in the policies of the NCAA regarding transgender athletes in women’s sports. The coalition, known as Our Bodies, Our Sports, is the first of its kind in the country and is dedicated to promoting fairness in women’s sports.
In a letter addressed to the president-elect, the coalition urged him to use his influence to compel the NCAA to take action to protect the rights and opportunities of collegiate female athletes. The letter expressed concerns over the NCAA’s current Transgender Student-Athlete Participation Policy, which allows transgender individuals to compete in women’s sports. According to the coalition, this policy undermines the opportunities for female athletes by allowing men to participate in women’s sports.
The timing of this letter is significant, as it comes just ahead of the 2025 NCAA Convention in Nashville, Tennessee. The convention will address various issues, forums, business sessions, and award presentations related to collegiate sports. The letter also follows a recent federal court ruling that blocked the Biden administration’s attempt to redefine sex in Title IX as “gender identity,” a move that was celebrated by Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti.
The coalition’s concerns are also in line with the Supreme Court’s rejection of the Biden administration’s emergency request to enforce parts of a new rule that would have included protection from discrimination for transgender students under Title IX. The NCAA’s current policy allows transgender athletes to compete in a “sport-by-sport approach” while requiring documentation of testosterone levels at various points in time.
Our Bodies, Our Sports is comprised of several women’s advocacy organizations, including the Independent Women’s Forum, Independent Council on Women’s Sports, and Concerned Women for America, among others. The coalition has called on President-elect Trump to stand with them in demanding that the NCAA take action to restore fairness and opportunity in collegiate sports.
In conclusion, the coalition’s letter to President-elect Trump highlights the ongoing debate surrounding transgender athletes in women’s sports and urges for a reevaluation of the NCAA’s policies. As the conversation continues to evolve, it is crucial for stakeholders to come together to ensure that fairness and equity are maintained in all levels of sports.
