Controversy Surrounds NAIA’s Exclusion of Transgender Women from Women’s Sports Competitions: What It Means for the NCAA and Other Governing Bodies

The NAIA has recently announced that it will exclude transgender women from participating in women’s sports competitions, effective for the next school year on August 1. This decision was unanimously voted on by the NAIA Council of Presidents and has received criticism from LGBTQ advocacy groups who fear it may influence other governing bodies like the NCAA to adopt similar bans. However, conservative-leaning groups have supported this policy change and are encouraging other associations to follow suit.

On the other hand, the NCAA currently allows transgender athletes to compete as long as they adhere to guidelines established by their respective international sport governing bodies. The NCAA has generally stood for inclusion but has faced pressure to move championship events from states that bar transgender athletes from participating in publicly funded school sports. Roughly 40 transgender athletes are believed to compete in NCAA sports, and the organization recently updated its eligibility policy in January 2022.

The NCAA is taking a sport-by-sport approach, requiring athletes to follow guidelines established by their specific sport’s international governing body. This change is still being implemented, with the NCAA Board of Governors expected to convene next on April 25.