WASHINGTON, D.C. — Former President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday aimed at prohibiting transgender women from competing in female sports categories, directing federal agencies to enforce policies that restrict participation based on biological sex.
The order, titled “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports,” mandates that educational institutions receiving federal funding comply with regulations reserving female athletic competition exclusively for biological women. It further authorizes the Department of Justice to prioritize enforcement actions against schools and athletic associations that allow transgender women to compete in women’s categories.
NEW: Former athletes sue the University of Pennsylvania, claiming they suffered emotional trauma from transgender swimmer Lia Thomas.
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Citing Title IX, the landmark 1972 law prohibiting sex-based discrimination in education, the order states that permitting transgender women in female sports “deprives women and girls of meaningful access to educational facilities.” The administration also vowed to rescind federal funding from programs that fail to comply with the directive.
The order extends beyond educational institutions, instructing the State Department to advocate for similar restrictions at the international level, including in Olympic competitions. It also calls for a review of visa policies to prevent male athletes from entering the United States to compete in women’s sports.
The directive is expected to face legal challenges from civil rights organizations and advocacy groups, setting the stage for a broader national debate over gender identity and athletic competition.