Women’s Sports Activists Criticize NCAA Transgender Athlete Policy, Demand Clarity and Protection for Female Athletes
A coalition of women’s sports activists has launched a vocal critique of the NCAA’s new transgender athlete policy, alleging that it fails to adequately protect female athletes and lacks clear boundaries. The activists argue that the policy, implemented in the wake of former President Donald Trump’s executive order, opens the door for biological males to compete in women’s sports, jeopardizing fairness and safety.
The criticism was delivered through an XX-XY Athletics video featuring current and former collegiate athletes who expressed their concerns about the policy’s implications. The video directly addresses the NCAA, asserting that the new policy "does not protect females" and "sets no clear boundaries."
The activists’ primary contention is that the NCAA policy relies on birth certificates as the sole determinant of sex, which they argue is insufficient and easily manipulated. They point out that in the vast majority of states, birth certificates can be altered, making them unreliable proof of biological sex. This loophole, they claim, could allow individuals assigned male at birth to compete in women’s sports despite inherent physical advantages.
The activists also expressed concerns that the NCAA policy would allow biological males on women’s teams and in locker rooms. They assert that the policy’s allowance of trans athletes to practice with women’s teams blurs the lines and compromises the integrity of women’s sports.
The video conveys a sense of frustration and determination among the activists. They recount facing harassment, intimidation, and attempts to silence their voices, but vow to continue fighting for the rights of female athletes.
"We’ve been spit on. We’ve been yelled at. Called terrible names. We’ve been shot at. They’ve tried to silence us. But we are not going away," the activists declare in the video. "Young athletes are depending on us. They’re depending on you. And if you won’t stand up for female athletes, we will."
The activists issued a clear demand: "We demand fair sports. We deserve safe sports. We aren’t backing down. NCAA women’s teams are for female athletes only. That means those born female. XX only, no substitutes." They call on the NCAA to implement sex testing to ensure that only biological females are allowed to compete in women’s sports.
Prominent figures in women’s sports have joined the chorus of criticism. Riley Gaines, along with Neely Gaines, Kaitlynn Wheeler, Reka Gyorgy, Lauren Miller, Melissa Batie-Smoose, Sia Liilii, and Macey Boggs, were featured in the video, lending their voices to the cause. Riley Gaines has been particularly vocal, stating that the NCAA’s new trans-participation policy is "as clear as mud."
The NCAA has remained relatively silent in the face of the mounting criticism. The organization has not issued any new comments on its policy change.
The NCAA’s policy states that athletes assigned male at birth may not compete on women’s teams but may practice with the team and receive other benefits applicable to student-athletes who are otherwise eligible for practice.
An NCAA spokesperson clarified earlier this month that the governing body will not allow trans athletes to compete in the women’s category based on changed birth certificates. The spokesperson emphasized that "there are no waivers available, and athletes assigned male at birth may not compete on a women’s team with amended birth certificates or other forms of ID."
The NCAA spokesperson also addressed the issue of trans athletes practicing on women’s teams, stating that the NCAA considers male practice players a "staple" of women’s sports. "Male practice players have been a staple in college sports for decades, particularly in women’s basketball, and the association will continue to account for that in the policy," the spokesperson said.
The debate over transgender athletes’ participation in women’s sports has become increasingly heated in recent years. Advocates for transgender inclusion argue that trans athletes should be allowed to compete in accordance with their gender identity, while opponents express concerns about fairness and safety for female athletes. This issue has become a focal point for discussion around gender identity and societal norms, revealing deep divisions among people.
The activists’ critique of the NCAA policy highlights the ongoing tension between these competing interests. The NCAA faces the challenge of balancing inclusivity with the need to ensure a level playing field for all athletes. As the debate continues, the NCAA will likely face increasing pressure to clarify its policy and address the concerns raised by women’s sports advocates.
The controversy surrounding the NCAA’s transgender athlete policy is not just about sports. It touches on fundamental questions about fairness, inclusion, and the definition of womanhood. As society grapples with these complex issues, the debate over transgender athletes’ participation in sports will continue to be a lightning rod for controversy.
