Athlete Ally Responds to OCR Ruling on Connecticut’s Trans Athlete Policy
New York, NY (May 28, 2020) – Athlete Ally responded today to the U.S. Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) ruling that Connecticut’s existing trans-inclusive athlete policy violates the civil rights of female athletes. The OCR claims that Connecticut’s policy is a violation of Title IX, the federal civil rights law that guarantees equal education opportunities for women, including in athletics.
“Today’s ruling reflects myths and stereotypes about trans female athletes that are simply not true, and is a clear act of discrimination against transgender youth,” said Hudson Taylor, Founder and Executive Director of Athlete Ally. “We continue to stand with the ACLU, Andraya Yearwood, Terry Miller and trans female athletes everywhere in their right to compete in the sport they love. Especially now during this global pandemic, sport has the power to uplift us and bring us together. To exclude trans women is not only a violation of their rights, but also of their humanity.”
Instead of addressing actual barriers to gender inequality in sport, such as a lack of women in coaching and other athletic leadership positions, and a failure to protect female athletes from sexual violence, this ruling perpetuates further abuse and discrimination against an already marginalized population. Every single trans woman is different, every athlete has different ability levels, and every person who loves sport deserves to enjoy the physical, mental and social benefits that sport brings.