There is much criticism of President Trump’s actions since he took office in January. But one of his actions does not warrant such disapproval.
Trump’s executive order to ban transgender women from women’s sports was one of the first reasonable actions of his second term. His ban also prohibits transgender women from using women’s locker rooms.
Not only can one argue for the biological advantages that transgender women possess over cisgender women, but there is a safety and comfort issue also at play.
According to the National Library of Medicine, people assigned “male” at birth experience higher circulating testosterone during puberty than biological women. This accounts for their higher bone mass density and structure, providing transgender women with stronger physical skills.
Since biological women do not have that same biological makeup, it’s reasonable to deduce they would be at a disadvantage against a transgender woman, who would be able to perform better and more immune to injury. This biological advantage becomes concerning in contact sports, where it’s imperative for players to be physically strong and possess proper endurance.
Another critical point that must be discussed is the safety of women athletes in locker rooms. For many cisgender women, sharing a changing and shower space with someone who has male anatomy would create discomfort. Not only would cisgender women be placed in an uncomfortable environment, but they could also risk their safety.
Locker rooms and shower areas are already vulnerable places for young women. Regardless of intent or identity, people with male anatomy present in women’s locker rooms can heighten anxiety for many young women.
The vast majority of transgender women certainly have no ill intent when entering a female locker room. But the relaxation of policies allowing access to private spaces could make way for bad actors with bad intentions to exploit rules.
There is no intention of being discriminatory when it comes to protecting women’s safety in a locker room. Many people fail to see the logic in this ban simply because they do not support Trump.
But putting political views aside, there is strong logic to not allow transgender women to compete in women’s sports.
This ban is not about discrimination, it is about maintaining the integrity of women’s sports and upholding the safety of all women athletes.