Sports are about teamwork, perseverance, and belonging—values that transcend any one athlete’s identity. Transgender people have always existed, and have been participating in sports for decades, contributing to the camaraderie, growth, and joy that sports offer.

But in recent years, well-funded extremists have spent hundreds of millions of dollars to manufacture controversy and target transgender athletes with hate. During the 2024 election, Republicans poured $215 million into anti-trans ads on television alone—a staggering misinformation campaign designed to divide us. Let’s be clear: these attack ads aren’t about protecting women’s sports; they’re about hate and fear.

What We Fight For

Trans & LGBQ Liberation

Where Barriers Occur

This cynical campaign doesn’t reflect the values of most people or the reality of sports. It’s a coordinated effort to erase transgender people from public life and use divisive rhetoric to distract from the real challenges facing women’s sports, like pay inequity, racism, sexual harassment and assault, and lack of funding.

This isn’t the first time athletes have faced barriers to participation based on who they are. Generations of activists fought to integrate sports and spoke out against discrimination against athletes of color and women. The fight for trans inclusion carries that legacy forward, ensuring sports remain a place of fairness, opportunity, and belonging for all.

Sign On to Support Trans Inclusion in Sports

What’s Really at Stake?

The joy of sports for all: Trans athletes deserve the same opportunities to compete, grow, and belong as any other athlete. Protecting their right to play ensures that sports remain a space for everyone to experience teamwork, resilience, and community.
The integrity of women’s sports: Real threats like pay inequity, racism, and lack of funding demand our attention—not manufactured controversies designed to divide and distract us.
The dignity of athletes: Every athlete—trans and cisgender—deserves recognition for their hard work and humanity, free from stereotypes or exclusion. Anti-trans attacks harm all women and girls by normalizing invasive questions about their bodies, subjecting them to medical testing, and fueling harassment against anyone who doesn’t fit narrow, outdated ideas of the “ideal woman/girl”.
Trans humanity: Transgender people have always been a part of our communities. Efforts to erase transgender people from public life and strip them of their identity and personhood must be resisted with courage and solidarity.

Get the Facts

Trans athletes belong in sports. They have competed under inclusive policies for years–from high school leagues to the Olympics–without compromising fairness. In fact, since the Minnesota State High School League adopted its trans-inclusive policy over a decade ago, girls’ participation in athletics has increased. Similar trends have been seen in other states.
Athletic success isn’t determined by gender. Factors like training, coaching, and access to resources play a far greater role than any single physical characteristic.
Inclusivity strengthens sports. When we welcome all athletes, we uphold the true values of competition, community, and fairness.

For more, check out Get the Facts: Trans Inclusion in Sports.