THE LEGAL LANDSCAPE FOR TRANSGENDER STUDENT-ATHLETES IN THE UNITED STATES

Transgender inclusion in interscholastic athletics raises controversial issues of equity and competitive advantage. Interscholastic sport, an important part of the educational experience, offers psychological benefits such as resiliency, feelings of connectedness, and positive self-image. Transgende...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of contemporary athletics 2021-01, Vol.15 (1), p.17-31
Main Authors: Demartini, Anne L, Polasek, Katherine M, Dodds, Mark
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Education
Females
Gender identity
Girls
LGBTQ athletes
Males
Participation
Self image
Sports
State laws
Student athletes
Teams
Transgender persons
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Summary:Transgender inclusion in interscholastic athletics raises controversial issues of equity and competitive advantage. Interscholastic sport, an important part of the educational experience, offers psychological benefits such as resiliency, feelings of connectedness, and positive self-image. Transgender students deserve to receive the same benefits from sport as other students, but face increasing challenges to accessing those benefits. Recent legislation and litigation in the United States changed the complex legal landscape for transgender student-athletes' participation in sport. This paper analyzes transgender student-athletes' rights by identifying relevant federal law, state law, executive orders, court cases, and school and sport governing body rules. Where recent years saw moves towards more inclusive practices, that progress has since halted, and in some cases even regressed. Athletic administrators should create inclusive policies that allow transgender athletes to participate.
ISSN:1554-9933