WASHINGTON, D.C. — Independent Women’s Law Center (IWLC) and Independent Women’s Forum (IWF) condemn the decision by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) on Wednesday to wash its hands of responsibility for determining who can participate in women’s sports. In so doing, the NCAA once again put female athletes last.
The NCAA Board of Governors voted to adopt a sport-by-sport approach to transgender participation in women’s sports. The new policy, which is effective immediately, strongly endorses the participation of male-bodied athletes in women’s sports but asks the governing body for each sport to set particular testosterone requirements.
A comprehensive review of the scientific literature released last summer by IWLCIWLC and IWF reveals that hormone therapy does not eliminate the male athletic advantage over females. The report also concludes that the participation of biological males in women’s sports takes away opportunities for women to merely compete. This violates Title IX, the federal law that guarantees equal educational opportunities for women, including in athletics.
Jennifer C. Braceras, director of Independent Women’s Law Center, said, “The NCAA’s decision to endorse the participation of biological men in women’s sports, while making each sporting body decide the particular rules for participation, is a colossal act of cowardice. Make no mistake, by asking female athletes to step aside to make room for biological males, the NCAA discriminates against women.”
Inez Stepman, senior policy analyst at IWF and IWLC, added, “Allowing biological males to compete in women’s events not only reduces opportunities for females, it undermines the entire rationale behind single-sex competition. It’s time for athletic governing bodies to stand up for women’s sports.”
To read the Competition report, click HERE.
For more information, contact Meghan Agostinelli at [email protected].
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