INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. | The Board of Governors of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, (NCAA) which regulates student athletes from over 1,268 North American institutions and conferences of higher learning, released a statement supporting the opportunity for transgender student-athletes to compete in college sports.
The statement comes after weeks of legislative actions, over 90 by April 10, in part directed at barring participation by trans athletes in high school and collegiate sports. The NCAA said that “firmly and unequivocally supports the opportunity for transgender student-athletes to compete in college sports. This commitment is grounded in our values of inclusion and fair competition.”
The action by the NCAA Board comes after the April 9 virtual “Let Them Play” conference when NCAA President Mark Emmert released a letter opposing anti-transgender legislation but did not provide specific measures for states that have passed legislation or are considering the possibility of passing anti-transgender legislation.
In an email, Human Rights Campaign Legislative Director Cathryn Oakley noted that more than 55 anti-transgender legislation bills are under consideration in 30 states. Two weeks ago Emmert released his letter prior to the NCAA men’s and women’s basketball championships, however last Friday during the virtual press conference, numerous athletes, LGBTQ advocates and trans allies called on the NCAA to withdraw its athletic events from states considering transgender legislation.
In its statement today the Board said, “the NCAA has a long-standing policy that provides a more inclusive path for transgender participation in college sports.” The statement also noted; “Our approach — which requires testosterone suppression treatment for transgender women to compete in women’s sports — embraces the evolving science on this issue and is anchored in participation policies of both the International Olympic Committee and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee. Inclusion and fairness can coexist for all student-athletes, including transgender athletes, at all levels of sport.”
In a tweet, the National Center for Lesbian Rights, an LGBTQ legal advocacy group applauded the NCAA’s action.
“Inclusion & fairness can coexist for all student-athletes, including #transgender athletes, at all levels of sport.”
Thank @NCAA for standing up for the inclusion of #trans athletes. We look forward to continuing to work with you to #LetKidsPlay. https://t.co/mpMXHFw8WY
— NCLR – National Center for Lesbian Rights (@NCLRights) April 12, 2021
The NCAA also addressed the demand for moving championship and other competitive events, stating “When determining where championships are held, NCAA policy directs that only locations where hosts can commit to providing an environment that is safe, healthy and free of discrimination should be selected. We will continue to closely monitor these situations to determine whether NCAA championships can be conducted in ways that are welcoming and respectful of all participants.”
The April 12 statement comes as Texas lawmakers are set to move on legislative efforts to ban trans-athletes from playing.
NCAA warns Texas lawmakers set to debate transgender sports bill: We’re watching https://t.co/wR7bENlDiv
— Houston Chronicle (@HoustonChron) April 12, 2021
