GLAAD RESPONDS TO THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS’ DANGEROUS BAN ON TRANSGENDER ATHLETES

April 9, 2024

Last updated: April 9, 2024

(April 9, 2024 – New York) GLAAD, the world’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) media advocacy organization, is speaking out against the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics’ regressive decision to ban transgender athletes from collegiate sports.

GLAAD CEO & President Sarah Kate Ellis responded on Tuesday:

Media reporting on the NAIA decision should ask for evidence to back up this baseless ban. How many transgender athletes compete in this conference? Which transgender people and experts in athletics, medicine, and human rights were consulted? The evidence points to a purely political decision by the NAIA that harms all athletes. The overwhelming success of the NCAA women’s basketball season shows that the NCAA itself and its championships have gotten along just fine with its current policies that include trans people. Policymakers need to stop targeting trans women for the phony sake of “protecting” women or women’s sports. Your misogyny is showing.

Additional research:

The NCAA has welcomed transgender participation in sports since at least 2010
The International Olympic Committee released guidelines more than two years ago to support transgender participation, written in consultation with medical, athletic and human rights professionals, stating there should be “NO PRESUMED ADVANTAGE BASED ON SEX ASSIGNED AT BIRTH OR SEX CHARACTERISTICS”.
There is no evidence that transgender women are dominating women’s sports or posing a threat to sports or other athletes. Swimmer Lia Thomas, the best-known and most defamed transgender collegiate athlete in history, followed all protocols to participate, in a year that also saw cisgender swimmers break four world records and finish ahead of Thomas in the races she participated in.
Olympian Erica Sullivan came in 2nd after Lia Thomas at the NCAA Championships 500-meter free and wrote that she’s proud to support Lia and all trans athletes.

For more information, visit this link:

GLAAD ELEVATES CHAMPIONSHIP COACH DAWN STALEY’S SUPPORT FOR TRANSGENDER WOMEN IN SPORTS

Additional Information from other organizations:

Lambda Legal: NAIA Proposed Transgender Sports Ban a Disappointing and Harmful Reversal

About GLAAD:
GLAAD rewrites the script for LGBTQ acceptance. As a dynamic media force, GLAAD tackles tough issues to shape the narrative and provoke dialogue that leads to cultural change. GLAAD protects all that has been accomplished and creates a world where everyone can live the life they love. For more information, please visit www.glaad.org or connect @GLAAD on social media.