Female Athletes Call for Trans Athlete Ban in Women’s Sports at ‘Our Bodies Our Sports’ Event as NAIA Follows Suit, Putting Pressure on NCAA to Review Policy

At a recent event hosted by the “Our Bodies Our Sports” coalition, female athletes called on the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) to ban transgender individuals from competing in women’s sports. The group asserted that more than 7,000 current and former NCAA athlete had sent letters urging this action before the Board of Governors meeting earlier this week.
Speakers included Martina Navratilova – a legendary professional tennis player, Payton McNabb, Madisan DeBos, Riley Gaines (an OutKick contributor), and multiple others sharing stories from college-level encounters against biologically male trans athletes playing women’s sports competitively. Although acknowledging that some tales were heartbreaking to hear, Navratilova remained optimistic about the growing awareness of this issue among people.
Gaines also affirmed a rise in recognition as she opined on waking-up effects concerning parents, coaches, elected officials and others from diverse political backgrounds towards addressing cultural issues including gender ideology’s implications that harm female sports and players like her own physical injury endured competing with one of such trans athletes. She stated, “But I think people have to be impacted for them to find it worthwhile and necessary to take a stand.”
The NCAA is currently facing legal action from over 16 current and former college athletes who allege that the organization’s adoption policies contradicted Title IX, in an unprecedented court complaint filed before September 2021. The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) announced earlier this month a ban on biological males participating in women’s sports events; such developments put further pressure on NCAA to reconsider its stance regarding transgender athletes’ participation policies as declared following the Board meeting.
A statement issued after the conclusion of their discussion mentioned that “the current policy remains under review.” The organization also pledged continued support for Title IX initiatives and promoting equitable championship events through all athlete groups it sanctions.
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) announced earlier this month a ban on biological males participating in women’s sports, putting further pressure on the NCAA to reconsider its stance regarding transgender athletes’ participation policies. The statement released after the Board meeting mentioned that “the current policy remains under review.”