Trump Signs Executive Order Restricting Transgender Athletes in Women's Sports

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 US President Donald Trump is set to sign an executive order banning transgender women from competing in female sports categories, according to White House officials. The order, expected to be signed on Wednesday, will provide guidance, regulations, and legal interpretations, while enlisting the Department of Education to investigate high schools and universities suspected of non-compliance. This move has sparked a heated debate, with Republicans arguing it ensures fairness in sports, while LGBT advocacy and human rights organizations condemn it as discriminatory.

The executive order will primarily impact high school, university, and grassroots sports. It empowers the Department of Education to enforce Title IX, a federal law prohibiting sex discrimination in federally funded education programs. The order reverses the Biden administration’s stance, which in April 2022 affirmed protections for LGBT students under federal law but did not provide specific guidance on transgender athletes. The Trump administration claims this policy is necessary to maintain fairness and safety for female athletes.

Several major sporting bodies, including those governing swimming, athletics, and golf, have already barred transgender women who have undergone male puberty from competing in elite female categories. The White House plans to involve organizations like the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) in discussions with female athletes and their parents to address concerns. Additionally, the administration aims to prevent transgender athletes from competing against females in International Olympic Committee events held in the US.

Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson criticized the order, stating it exposes transgender youth to harassment and discrimination. She emphasized that sports should be a space for belonging, not partisan policies that marginalize vulnerable groups. According to the UCLA Williams Institute, less than 1% of the US population over 13 identifies as transgender, with an even smaller portion participating in sports.

This executive order follows Trump’s earlier action on his first day in office, where he mandated the federal government to define sex strictly as male or female. The latest move has reignited debates over inclusivity, fairness, and the rights of transgender individuals in sports and society.

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