The NCAA has ruled only women assigned female at birth can compete in college sports. We spoke to some of those affected by the banOn 5 February 2025 – coinciding with Women and Girls in Sports Day – Donald Trump signed an executive order barring trans athletes from competing in women’s sports. The move marked yet another aggressive shift of his legislative agenda, as he doubled down on anti-trans rhetoric, in which he has vowed to eliminate what he calls “transgender insanity”.The next day college sports’ main governing body, the NCAA, said only women assigned female at birth would be able to participate under its umbrella. The organization oversees more than 500,000 athletes. Last year the NCAA’s president, Charlie Baker, said he knew of only 10 transgender athletes competing in the organization. Continue reading...
Donald Trump's February 2025 executive order banned transgender athletes from competing in women's sports, aligning with his anti-trans rhetoric. The NCAA followed by restricting participation to those assigned female at birth, affecting thousands of athletes. Trans athletes expressed feeling devastated, with some highlighting the loss of opportunities and mental health impacts. Austin Killips emphasized the importance of visibility despite bans, while Mayumi Berry recounted struggles with identity and the sport's role in livelihood. The order's implications include limited future prospects and a lack of broader community support.
