Universities Must Stop Discriminating Against Trans Athletes

The University of Pennsylvania just banned transgender women from competing in women’s sports—a direct attack on trans students’ rights. This appalling decision didn’t happen in a vacuum. It came after intense political pressure from President Trump, who froze critical federal funding to force the university’s hand. This sets a dangerous precedent for schools across the country.

The university’s move effectively ended Lia Thomas’s civil rights case, undermining years of progress for trans inclusion in athletics. It’s a cowardly capitulation to a right-wing campaign that’s using trans students as political pawns. Trump and his allies are bullying universities into discriminatory policies by weaponizing federal resources.

We cannot let this stand. Universities should be places of fairness, equity, and inclusion—not institutions that bend to political intimidation and abandon their own students.

If schools like Penn are willing to fold under federal threats, other universities could be next. That’s why we must raise our voices now and make it clear: discrimination against trans athletes is unacceptable, and we will not stay silent while these rights are stripped away.

Our collective power can make a difference. When students, alumni, faculty, and concerned citizens come together to demand justice, universities are forced to listen. History shows that public pressure can compel schools to reverse harmful decisions and uphold the rights of all students.

Sign now to tell university leaders across the country: Stand up to political bullying. End discriminatory bans against trans athletes and protect the rights of transgender students. We must act now to stop this wave of exclusion before it spreads further.