Transgender Athletes Participate in Sports for the Same Reasons as Everyone Else

January 29, 2020

Transgender athletes participate in sports for the same reasons as everyone else—to learn good sportsmanship, get and stay healthy, be part of a team, and build a sense of belonging with their peers. Our laws should protect transgender youth, not encourage discrimination against them.

Several states are debating whether or not transgender people belong in sports and state equality groups are doing to work to make sure transgender people are treated fairly across all areas of life.

It can be hard to understand what it means to be transgender, especially if you’ve never met a transgender person. And it’s common to have questions at first. But we can all agree that transgender people should be treated with dignity and respect, just like everyone else.

Get to know these brave transgender athletes excelling in the sport they love:

Charlie Martin - Race Driver

Erica Meacham - Football

Patricio Manuel - Boxing

Andraya Yearwood and Terry Miller – Track and Field

Everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy the shared excitement of being part of a team. 25 states have successfully implemented polices that allow transgender youth athletes and their peers to successfully participate side by side. When we celebrate sports and protect transgender youth from discrimination, making sure that all young people can access the opportunities that sports afford, everyone wins.

Take action: Pledge to stand against any and all forms of anti-transgender legislation.

More You might like

Equality Federation Accountability and Commitment to Conference Accessibility

Equality Federation acknowledges and deeply apologizes for perpetuating the systemic harm and exclusion of disabled people at our 2025 Leadership Conference.

June 12, 2025
Equality Federation Adds Alexis Sanchez and Vincent Paolo Villano to Senior Leadership Team

We are pleased to announce the addition of two effective and experienced leaders to our senior leadership team!

June 12, 2025
National Coalition of HIV, LGBTQ+ and Health Advocates Applauds Court Decision Upholding Law that Ensures Access to PrEP and other Healthcare Preventive Services

In response to the Supreme Court decision on the Braidwood case today, June 27, a national coalition released the following statement from the Executive Directors of Lambda Legal, PrEP4All, the Center for Health Law and Policy Innovation, the Center for HIV Law and Policy, and Equality Federation.

June 12, 2025
A young man looking up, smilingA young man smiling straight at the camera
Confident young woman standing with crossed arms.

Want To Make A Difference? Support Our Work

With your support, we'll be able to continue our work to build the leaders of today and tomorrow, strengthen state-based LGBTQ+ organizations, and make critical progress on the issues that matter most—like protecting transgender people, ending HIV criminalization and ensuring access to care, and banning conversion therapy across the country.