The Center condemns President Trump’s executive order barring transgender athletes from participating in women’s sports in federally-funded schools. This order claims to protect “equal opportunity for the male and female sexes” based on the Trump administration’s reinterpretation of Title IX.

If implemented, this action will expose young people to harassment and discrimination, emboldening others to question the gender of youth who don’t fit a narrow, binary view of how they’re supposed to dress or look. For so many students, sports are about finding a place to belong. All youth deserve that sense of belonging, regardless of who they are.

In California, there are already state laws that protect transgender students from discrimination. California Assembly Bill 1266, signed into law in 2014, amended the state education code to provide students the right to participate in school athletic programs and access facilities that are consistent with their gender identity.

Transgender and nonbinary student athletes deserve the right to live authentically and pursue what brings them joy. The Center will continue to uplift our trans community and advocate on behalf of students and their families to ensure that school environments are safe and inclusive.

For youth ages 10 to 24, The Center’s Hillcrest Youth Center and South Bay Youth Center provide LGBTQ-affirming spaces, support groups, and educational programming. Project TRANS at The Center also provides comprehensive case management and resources for our transgender and nonbinary community.