In a troubling development, efforts are being made to not only ban transgender women from participating in women's sports, but also to revoke the titles and awards that they have rightfully earned. This disconcerting initiative is being championed by the federal government, representing a significant step backward in the fight for equality and recognition of transgender athletes.
The Department of Education has recently issued a letter to the NCAA and the National Federation of State High School Associations. This letter calls for the "restoration of records, titles, awards, and recognitions to female athletes which were misappropriated by biological males competing in female categories." Candice Jackson, the deputy general counsel for the Education Department, stated that women athletes have long been undervalued and have had to "watch men steal their accolades."
A Call to Erase History
This action follows an executive order aimed at banning transgender women from participating in women's sports and comes on the heels of the NCAA changing its rules to impose a similar ban at the collegiate level. The letter effectively seeks to erase the accomplishments of transgender athletes from history, marginalizing a community that has already faced numerous challenges in both political and public spheres.
Lia Thomas, a former swimmer from Penn, has become a central figure in this debate. Her victory in the 2022 NCAA women’s 500-yard freestyle event sparked national controversy, with critics alleging that she was unfairly dominating the sport. However, despite the uproar, Thomas did not break any NCAA records and had varying results in her events, finishing fifth and eighth in others. These facts contradict the narrative of her being a dominant force.
Further evidence of targeted action against Thomas can be seen in the Education Department’s release, which quotes former swimmer Riley Gaines. Gaines has emerged as a vocal critic of transgender athletes after tying with Thomas for fifth place in the 200-yard freestyle event.
The NCAA's Role and Responsibility
The NCAA is under no obligation to comply with the Education Department's directive and must stand firm against it. The organization has stripped awards and titles in the past, but only in cases of significant rule violations, such as illegal payments to players. Lia Thomas, and other transgender athletes, won their titles fairly, adhering to all NCAA protocols for transgender athletes at the time.
There are other examples of transgender athletes succeeding within the NCAA framework. In 2024, Sadie Schreiner from the Rochester Institute of Technology won the Atlantic Region Outdoor 200-meter title. In 2021, CeCé Telfer claimed the Division II NCAA championship in the 400-meter hurdles while competing for Franklin Pierce University. Both athletes competed in compliance with NCAA regulations and committed no violations.
Unjust Moves Against High School Athletes
The situation extends to high school sports as well. The National Federation of State High School Associations reported participation of over 8 million students in sports last year, without specifying how many of these students identify as transgender. Outsports has documented a few transgender high school athletes winning state titles in track, highlighting their success despite the odds.
However, opponents continue to push for bans, with 25 states having enacted laws preventing transgender girls from participating in girls’ high school sports. Many of these bans have been blocked by court orders, showcasing the ongoing legal battles.
These legislative efforts appear to be rushed and unfounded. The Associated Press, in a 2021 investigation, found that most sponsors of these bills could not cite a single instance in their state or region where transgender participation in sports caused any issues.
In reality, the number of transgender women athletes in high school and college sports is minuscule compared to the total number of athletes. Even fewer have won titles. Yet, there is a relentless push to erase their achievements as if they never competed or succeeded.
The NCAA and high school associations must reject the Education Department’s letter and discard it, recognizing it as an attempt to unjustly diminish the accomplishments of transgender athletes. It is vital to continue supporting these athletes and acknowledging their rightful place in sports history.
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