President Joe Biden’s post on International Women’s Day sparked criticism from Americans due to his administration’s record of allowing transgender athletes to compete in women’s sports. During his presidency, Biden signed an executive order that permitted this, attempted to rewrite Title IX to allow it, and tried to punish states for taking steps to combat the issue. The issue resurfaced during the 2024 election as a vulnerability for the Democratic Party, leading to backlash from voters.
In January 2021, Biden signed an executive order focused on preventing discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation, with a section emphasizing the importance of allowing children to participate in school sports based on their gender identity. The following years saw further efforts by Democrats to advance transgender rights, including advocating for a Transgender Bill of Rights and proposing rule changes to combat discrimination in school sports.
Despite Biden’s efforts, his administration faced legal challenges from more than two dozen attorneys general over a sweeping Title IX rewrite that extended protections based on gender identity. The Supreme Court rejected an emergency request to enforce the rewrite in states that disagreed with it. As the 2024 election approached, Biden’s stance on transgender athlete participation in women’s sports became a key issue for voters, contributing to Democratic losses across various levels of government.
President Donald Trump’s return to office saw the signing of an executive order banning transgender athletes from women’s and girls’ sports, highlighting the ongoing controversy surrounding the issue. While some Democrat-led states refused to comply with the order, a New York Times/Ipsos survey revealed that a majority of Americans, including Democrats, opposed allowing transgender athletes to compete in women’s sports. These findings underscored the widespread concern over gender identity and its impact on athletic competition.
The divide over transgender athlete participation in women’s sports remains contentious, with criticisms of Biden’s policies reflecting broader societal debates on gender identity and sports. The issue has drawn attention from lawmakers, activists, and voters, shaping political discourse and influencing election outcomes. Moving forward, the debate over transgender rights in sports is likely to continue as policymakers navigate the complexities of inclusivity, fairness, and the protection of women’s rights in athletic competition.
