Trump signs order banning trans athletes from women's sports

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday night signed an executive order banning transgender athletes from competing in girls' and women's sports, the latest in a string of executive actions that aim at LGBTQ+ rights.

The move comes as the right wing in the US, and globally, has taken an increasingly aggressive stance against transgender people.

While some have defended the ban saying that female transgender athletes have an unfair advantage, others have pointed out that there are very few transgender athletes and that there are already wide ranges of ability among cisgender men and women.



What does the new ban on transgender women and girls say?

The order, titled "Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports," gives government agencies authority to penalize schools that allow transgender athletes to compete on women's teams.

Any school that violates the order would risk losing federal funding.

"It is the policy of the United States to rescind all funds from educational programs that deprive women and girls of fair athletic opportunities, which results in the endangerment, humiliation, and silencing of women and girls and deprives them of privacy," according to the executive order.

It is unclear how the ban will be enforced at schools and in grassroots sports.

And at the top level it will affect few athletes as despite widespread debate, there are still very few trans competitors in the US.

Charlie Baker, President of the NCAA, which regulates about 500,000 college athletes in the country, said in late 2024 that his organization contained "less than 10" transgender athletes.

Trump signed an executive order last month proclaiming that it will only recognize two sexes, male and female, going forward.



Trump moves to ban transgender athletes from 2028 LA Games

The US president also said he would pressure the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to change its rules on transgender athletes ahead of the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

He said he had instructed Secretary of State Marco Rubio to "make it clear" to the IOC that "we want them to change everything having to do with the Olympics."



What are the IOC rules on transgender athletes?

In the past years, the IOC has changed its stance around transgender athletes. Rather than mandating uniform testosterone limits, it lets the international federations governing each sport set their own criteria for participation.

The IOC's current framework, however, suggests maintaining testosterone levels below 10 nanomoles per liter for 12 months prior to competition.

Some federations, such as the International Cycling Union (UCI) and World Aquatics, have also implemented stricter lower thresholds or additional requirements.

Trump added that he had ordered Homeland Security chief Kristi Noem to deny visa applications "made by men attempting to fraudulently enter the United States while identifying themselves as women athletes to try and get into the Games."

The United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee and organizers for the 2028 Olympics did not immediately respond to AP requests for comment.


Trump's attacks on transgender policies

"Our hearts break for the trans youth who will no longer be able to know the joy of playing sports as their full and authentic selves," Athlete Ally, a US LGBTQ+ athletic advocacy group, said in a statement.

"We hope they will continue to feel the love and acceptance from their teammates, coaches, friends and family members that they deserve."

Since his second term began on January 20, Trump has issued a string of orders targeting gender-nonconforming people.

He signed an order to restrict gender-affirming care for those under 19.

He also issued an order to rid what he called "transgender ideology" from the military that effectively bars transgender Americans from service.