Former U.S. women’s soccer star Megan Rapinoe, along with WNBA legend Sue Bird, joined other current and former athletes in signing a letter from LGBTQ advocacy group Athlete Ally urging the NCAA not to implement a policy that would prevent transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports. This came after some House Republican lawmakers pushed for a ban on trans athletes following Lia Thomas’ national championship win in 2022. The letter emphasized the importance of inclusivity in sports, citing the mental and physical health benefits that sport provides to all athletes.
The letter called on the NCAA to uphold its commitment to serve athletes and ensure that sports are accessible to all athletes, including transgender individuals. It also criticized the lawmakers’ focus on transgender athletes as a distraction from more pressing issues in women’s sports, such as pay disparities, Title IX violations, and abuse and harassment. The signatories, which included prominent athletes like Rapinoe, Sauerbrunn, and Mewis, emphasized the need for fairness and support for transgender athletes in NCAA sports.
The letter highlighted the support of South Carolina Gamecocks women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley for transgender athletes, pointing out that the fight for fairness should focus on addressing systemic issues rather than singling out specific groups. The signatories expressed their belief that sports should be for everyone, and banning transgender women from NCAA women’s sports would go against the spirit of inclusivity and Olympism. They called on the NCAA and the athletic community to affirm that sports should be inclusive for all athletes.
Although the letter did not specifically mention Riley Gaines, it criticized the media for framing her story in a way that incited transphobic attitudes. Gaines and Paula Scanlan had testified to Congress about the NCAA allowing Thomas to use the women’s locker room, highlighting the complexities and controversies surrounding transgender athletes in sports. Despite the challenges and controversies, the signatories remained firm in their support for transgender athletes and their right to participate in sports as their true selves.
Rapinoe issued a statement through Athlete Ally urging fellow cisgender women athletes to reject bans against transgender athletes in the name of protecting women’s sports. She emphasized the need for solidarity and support for trans athletes who face exclusion and discrimination. The signatories, which included a diverse group of athletes from various sports, stood united in their call for inclusivity and fairness in sports, challenging the notion that bans on transgender athletes protect women’s sports.
In response to the letter, the NCAA reiterated its commitment to promoting Title IX, investing in women’s sports, and ensuring fair competition for all student-athletes. The NCAA emphasized the importance of college sports as a platform for women’s sports in America and pledged to continue supporting inclusivity and equity in athletics. Despite the challenges and controversies surrounding transgender athletes in sports, the NCAA affirmed its commitment to providing opportunities for all athletes to compete and thrive in a diverse and inclusive environment.
