Transgender Women Belong in Women’s Sports

The recent attack on transgender women in sports carries more significant turmoil into the gender inequality of sports. 

By Alex Diaz, Sports Editor

Illustration by Milan Rafaelov

Transgender women are facing a new barrier in NCAA women's college sports. The organization has proposed a ban that explicitly prohibits transgender women from competing in women's events, allowing participation only for "student-athletes assigned female at birth." This decision was made after President Donald Trump issued an executive order threatening to cut federal funding to schools that permit transgender girls and women to participate.

It's essential to recognize that trans athletes in the NCAA represent fewer than 10 out of 500,000 athletes, as stated by NCAA President Charlie Baker. The NCAA's prompt response to the order just one day after its announcement clearly indicates that their actions are driven more by personal opinions and political pressures than by any evidence of harm to cisgender female athletes.

Trump’s executive order, titled “Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports,” reinforces the administration's definition of Title IX. This 1972 Civil Rights law prohibits sex discrimination in educational programs that receive federal funding, ensuring a level playing field in sports for all. This order was one of the President’s campaign promises.

California is one of 24 states to allow transgender athletes to play in sports matching their gender identity. During a recent Governors meeting with President Trump at the White House, the Governor of Maine, Janet Mills, commented on the executive order, telling Trump, “See you in court.”

This ban is nothing more than a blanket distraction meant to obscure the pressing issues within the NCAA. It neglects the significant inequalities faced by girls and women in sports. Some problems require focus, and it's time to confront them directly rather than sidestepping the conversation.

Riley Gaines, a former competitive swimmer from the University of Kentucky, gained national attention for her outspoken views on transgender athlete's participation in women’s sports. In 2022, she competed against Lia Thomas, a transgender athlete, during the NCAA national championship. 

Thomas made history as the first openly transgender athlete to win an NCAA Division I national championship, a milestone that sparked significant debate. Gaines articulated her feelings of discomfort and violation while competing alongside Thomas. She expressed her belief that it was fundamentally unfair to face someone whose hormone levels differed from hers. 

“We are going back to 1972 by asking women to smile to step aside to allow these men onto our podiums, telling us that we’re the problem if we don’t want to or feel totally comfortable undressing next to a fully naked, fully intact man,” Gaines said. “That’s not progress.”In an interview with The Megyn Kelly Show. 

Testosterone does not inherently form an advantage or guarantee success in any sport. It can produce muscle mass, speed, and stronger bones but doesn’t grant you a gold medal at the finish line. Furthermore, The sex assigned at birth should not automatically dictate one’s athletic ability or talent. If the NCAA is to create a framework for fair competition, it must be prepared to uphold the outcomes without contesting them.

San Jose State’s volleyball team has become a central topic in the ongoing debate surrounding gender and sports. During the 2023-2024 season, senior outside and right-side hitter Blaire Flemings faced rumors after an alleged parent claimed that Fleming was transgender. The parents expressed concerns that Blaire's powerful hits could pose a risk to their child and that Blaire was taking up a roster position. 

In the 2024-2025 season, San Jose senior Brooke Slusser spoke out, stating, “It has nothing to do with the way someone wants to live their life day to day; that's not an issue. But when it comes to the fairness and safety of women playing, there's a reason there's a difference in divisions for women and men." In an interview with KTVU News. 

Slusser later joined a lawsuit against the NCAA alongside Riley Gaines. This led to the cancellation and forfeiture of several matches involving five Mountain West teams against San Jose State: Boise State, Wyoming, Utah State, Southern Utah, and Nevada. Since the end of the season, Flemings has not commented publicly, but several of her teammates have become more vocal about the situation. Many players have since entered the transfer portal.

Flemings held the 73rd position in kills per set for San Jose State in the division, contributing to a team record of 13 wins and 18 losses before the forfeits. While she played a role on the team, she was not considered a standout player and did not guide the team to any championships during her tenure.

The notion of excluding trans women from sports in the name of "protecting" cisgender women is fundamentally flawed. Such a stance not only undermines the inclusive spirit of athletic competition but also perpetuates harmful stereotypes and misconceptions about gender identity. This misguided perspective prioritizes the fear of unfair advantage over the importance of acceptance and equality in sports.