Athletic
Policies
LGBTQ+ youth athletic policies
LGBTQ+ youth athletic policies
Overview of Issue
In the United States and Canada, there are differing policies protecting/limiting transgender athletes. Most governing bodies (for sports) in Canada feature very progressive policies, giving LGBTQ+ athletes protections that allow them to play with limited restrictions. While the United States has some policies, many differ by states and/or governing body. In conclusion, there is not one cohesive policy in the United States, making it difficult for protections to be enacted.
The United States (specifically president trump) has been weaponizing Trans athletes, to try and panic the public. By making a series of executive orders, he has used them to create a fear mongering campaign. In addition to this, Trans Athletes are often used by right wing media outlets to try and create fear. The non universal policy in the United States is a problem. While some states can choose to be more accepting, others choose to openly discriminate against LGBTQ+ athletes. This is a huge problem within our country.
This however, doesn’t stop international organizations, such as the Olympics, from scrutinizing LGBTQ+ athletes. Because there isn’t any international law against this, it gives the organizations the power to openly discriminate against athletes.
In Canada, however, this problem doesn’t exist. With the Canadian Human Rights Act, it makes sure all LGBTQ+ athletes are protected, no matter what sport or province they are competing in. While some provinces (such as Alberta) try to prohibit trans athletes from competing, it is ultimately unconstitutional, and the law will either get striked down or the governing body will intervene, such as Skate Canada when they pulled competitions out of Alberta.