The Biden Administration is aiming for the middle of the spectrum with its transgender athlete policy.
On Thursday, the U.S. Department of Education proposed rules that would prohibit schools from blanket bans on athletes participating in school sports based on their gender identities.
The policy would allow schools to consider grade, sport, and level of competition in introducing rules on whether a student can play with groups fitting with their gender identity. Twenty states have introduced blanket bans on transgender athletes.
Also on Thursday, the U.S. Supreme Court denied an emergency request by West Virginia’s Attorney General to overturn a lower court’s decision and allow the state to ban a 12-year-old transgender student from competing in a track and field competition. The student will be allowed to race in a group fitting with her gender identity.
Last month, the World Athletics Council banned transgender women from competing in women’s categories at high-level track competitions, including the Olympics.
The NWSL is revisiting its policy on transgender athletes. Currently, the league allows players designated female at birth, regardless of gender identity. It also allows players transitioning to female, provided their testosterone levels are within the typical range for a woman.
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