Athlete Ally Responds to NAIA’s Anti-Trans Policy
April 8, 2024 — We are dismayed by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA)’s decision to ban trans women athletes from women’s sports. This misinformed policy goes against research and policies at the highest level of sport and does nothing to address the actual threats to women’s sports— unequal pay, sexual abuse, lack of equity in resources and more. This decision from the NAIA does not protect women’s sports, it only cultivates exclusion and discrimination.
“NAIA President Jim Carr admits there has never been a trans woman in post-season competition in the history of the organization,” wrote athlete and founder of TransAthlete.com Chris Mosier in an Instagram post. “This decision is clearly due to political pressure and not any real issue with transgender women in NAIA sports.”
“This policy is a failure of leadership by NAIA and marks a sad day for women’s sports,” said Athlete Ally founder & Executive Director Hudson Taylor. “We hope other sport governing bodies don’t also succumb to political pressure, and instead fight for a future of sports where everyone belongs.”
Shortly after the announcement of NAIA’s transphobic policy, the NCAA released a statement: “College sports are the premier stage for women’s sports in America and the NCAA will continue to promote Title IX, make unprecedented investments in women’s sports and ensure fair competition for all student-athletes in all NCAA championships.”
We urge the NCAA and other sport governing bodies not to operate out of fear, and instead choose to protect all collegiate athletes— especially transgender athletes.