New Delhi: US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order banning transgender athletes from competing in women’s categories of sports. The order includes guidance, regulations and legal interpretations, empowering the Department of Education to investigate non-compliant high schools.
According to the Republicans, the new order restores fairness to sports. However, LGBT advocacy and human rights groups have slammed the moved, terming it as discriminatory. The order goes into effect immediately, covering high school, universities and grassroots sports.
Sporting governing bodies, including swimming, athletics and golf, have already banned transgender women from featuring in the female category at top level if they have gone through male puberty.
White House officials spoke to the reporters on Wednesday and briefed how this latest order empowers the Department of Education to investigate schools which implement Title IX – a US law that bans sex discrimination in federally funded education programmes.
According to an administration official, the executive order will reverse the position of the Biden administration.
“If you let men take over women’s sports teams or invade your locker rooms, you will be investigated for violations of Title IX and risk your federal funding,” Trump explained.
No transgender athletes to compete in female category in LA Olympics
The order will help the country to prevent transgender athletes from competing against females in International Olympic Committee competitions that take place on US soil. President Trump also announced that the order would include the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. He also confirmed that the visas for transgender Olympic athletes trying to visit the US to compete in LA Olympics will be denied.
Meanwhile, Human Rights Campaign president Kelley Robinson slammed the move and said that the order will expose youngsters to harassment and discrimination.
According to a study by the UCLA Williams Institute, less than 1 per cent population above 13 in USA are transgender, and those who play sports is even smaller.
Several sports bodies such as swimming, athletics and golf, have already banned transgender women from featuring in the female category at elite level if they have gone through male puberty. Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
