President Trump’s executive order barring biological males from women’s sports has sparked a nationwide policy shift, while the debate over fairness in athletic competition continues to intensify.

At a Glance

• President Trump signed an executive order on February 5, 2025, titled “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports,” prohibiting biological males from competing in women’s sports at public schools and universities
• The NCAA responded by updating its policy, effective February 6, 2025, barring individuals assigned male at birth from competing on women’s teams, regardless of amended documentation
• A federal bill aimed at defining Title IX protections based on biological sex failed to advance in the Senate, receiving only 51 of the needed 60 votes
• Over 800,000 people have signed a petition supporting women’s sports protections
• The Department of Justice has sued Maine over transgender athlete participation policies, highlighting ongoing tensions between federal and state authorities

New Federal and NCAA Policies Reshape Women’s Sports Landscape

The NCAA has implemented a stringent policy on transgender athlete participation that took effect February 6, 2025. Following President Trump’s executive order, the organization established clear boundaries prohibiting biological males from competing in women’s collegiate sports. The policy applies across all NCAA sports with gender-separated championships and specifically states that individuals assigned male at birth cannot compete on women’s teams under any circumstances. Member institutions must certify student-athlete eligibility according to these guidelines, with no waivers available for transgender competitors.

The NCAA policy includes specific provisions preventing biological males from receiving athletic scholarships designated for women. Additionally, transgender athletes who begin hormone therapy cannot compete on women’s teams without changing the team’s classification to “mixed,” subsequently making it ineligible for women’s championships. These changes represent a significant shift from previous NCAA guidelines that allowed transgender participation under certain hormone treatment conditions. Schools must also navigate potentially conflicting local, state, and federal legislation, which takes precedence over NCAA rules.

Don't be fooled. @WomensSportsFdn is calling for donations in celebration of their 50th anniversary. No $$ from me. Deeply disappointed- they have abandoned fairness and privacy for girls/women with their support of males in women's sports. https://t.co/XipJmlRV5Q @icons_women

— Mary I. O'Connor, MD OLY (@MaryOConnorMD) May 1, 2024

Congressional Action Stalls While Executive Branch Advances

Despite Republican efforts to advance federal legislation supporting sex-based athletic divisions, a bill aimed at barring transgender women and girls from participating in female school sports failed to advance in the Senate. The legislation received a 51-45 vote along party lines, falling short of the 60 votes required to move forward. The proposed bill sought to define Title IX protections based on reproductive biology and genetics at birth, aligning with President Trump’s executive approach but facing significant Democratic opposition.

The administration has taken additional steps beyond the executive order, with the Department of Justice filing suit against Maine over the state’s policies regarding transgender athletes in women’s sports. This legal action represents a direct confrontation between federal priorities and state autonomy on the issue. Republican lawmakers maintain that these measures protect athletic fairness for women and girls, while opponents characterize them as solutions to a manufactured problem intended to provoke cultural divisions.

The future of transgender youth in athletics

Is EXACTLY the same as it was before…play on the team that matches your sex. Not your gender. Not your furry personality. Not your favorite color. Just your sex. You only have one, & you can’t change it.

https://t.co/ZQwgDK3Ekh

— Christina Dalcher (@CV_Dalcher) February 7, 2025

Advocacy Groups Mobilize on Both Sides

Conservative education organization PragerU has taken an active role in advocating against biological males competing in women’s sports, helping gather over 800,000 signatures on a petition supporting sex-based athletic divisions.

Their efforts focus on educating the public about biological differences that they argue create competitive advantages. Meanwhile, LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations like the Human Rights Campaign contend that transgender athlete bans prevent students from participating in sports according to their gender identity, potentially harming their well-being and development.

While the NCAA has aligned with the federal executive order, other sports governing bodies maintain different approaches. Many states and organizations had previously included transgender athletes in sports without reported issues.

Human Rights Campaign president Kelley Robinson has criticized recent policy changes, suggesting they deny transgender children equal opportunities. The discussion continues to evolve as international organizations, including the Olympic Committee, develop their own frameworks for transgender athlete participation, creating a complex patchwork of policies across different levels of competition.