In the realm of sports, controversies often arise, but recent events have amplified the debate over transgender athletes competing in categories that don’t align with their biological sex.
This week, Imane Khelif, a biologically male athlete, competed against Angela Carini in women’s boxing at the Olympics, sparking global controversy.
This issue isn’t new in the United States and has been a contentious topic for years.
Since 2020, numerous states have enacted bans to prevent transgender youth from participating in women’s school sports.
These bans are predominantly led by Republican states, underscoring the political sensitivity surrounding the issue.
In a recent match, Khelif, who was assigned female at birth but has XY chromosomes typically associated with males, defeated Carini in just 46 seconds.
Carini withdrew from the match, citing concerns for her safety.
This outcome has fueled backlash online, with prominent figures like J.K. Rowling criticizing the decision to allow Khelif to compete in the women’s category.
Payton McNabb, a high school volleyball player from North Carolina who was partially paralyzed by a ball hit by a transgender player, expressed her strong disapproval of Khelif’s participation.
McNabb has since been active in advocating for bans on biological men competing in women’s sports, emphasizing the potential risks and the impact on opportunities for cisgender women.
Evidence and State Responses
Various reviews suggest that biological males may retain advantages even after transitioning and undergoing hormone therapy. This evidence has influenced several states to propose bans on transgender athletes in women’s sports.
As a result, transgender youth are often restricted from participating on teams that match their gender identity, though not their biological sex.
The State of Bans and Protections
Transgender youth represent about 1% of 12- to 17-year-olds in schools.
Among the states that have implemented bans, 11 determine a child’s sex based on their birth certificate. Some states, like Oklahoma, require affidavits to verify a child’s sex, while others provide specific details in their bans.
A map by the Movement Advancement Project shows that the 25 states with such bans are mainly concentrated in the southeastern and western parts of the US and are largely Republican-led.
The organization argues that these policies are unnecessary and harmful.
In contrast, states like California, Colorado, New Mexico, New York, Georgia, Minnesota, and Illinois allow transgender youth to participate in sports that align with their gender identity and offer broader protections, including access to hormone therapy and gender-inclusive facilities.
College Sports and Legal Challenges
The debate extends to college sports as well.
The NCAA is facing a lawsuit from female athletes who claim the organization violated Title IX by permitting transgender female athlete Lia Thomas to compete in national championships in 2022.
The plaintiffs argue that the NCAA has failed in its fundamental responsibility to ensure fairness and safety in athletic competition.