Know Your IX and Advocates for Youth are infuriated by this week’s passage of the so-called “Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2023.” This harmful and discriminatory federal bill undeniably perpetuates sex-based discrimination in education and violates Title IX by creating a blanket ban to prevent transgender women and girls from playing on sports teams consistent with their gender identity. 

“H.R. 734 is a dangerous and gross misinterpretation of the vision of Title IX, and is nothing more than an attempt to codify discrimination against transgender students,” said Know Your IX Policy Organizer Zoey Brewer. “Transphobic lawmakers champion H.R. 734 as a means of achieving ‘gender equity,’ but continue to ignore the very real risk of sexual violence that students — and especially transgender students — face in their schools and athletics programs.”

As long-time advocates for gender equity in education, we seek to actualize Title IX’s mandate that all students — including transgender, nonbinary, and intersex students — must be able to access the benefits of an education free from sex discrimination, including athletics. Gender justice in sports cannot exist without trans inclusion in sports. Young people deserve to feel supported and thrive in school.