Megan Rapinoe, Billie Jean King, and 174 other female athletes signed a brief to support transgender girls and women playing sports as their gender identity, LGBTQNation reports.
“Embedded in our nation’s shared love of athletics is the fundamental principle that anyone can participate in sports, no matter their race, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity,” the brief reads. “As women and LGBTQ+ athletes, and organizations that support and advocate for women and LGBTQ+ athletes, amici submit that all youth deserve an equal opportunity to participate in sports alongside their peers. Such equal opportunity benefits the entire sports community.”
The brief was filed in a lawsuit by Lambda Legal in partnership with Women’s Sports Foundation and Athlete Ally brought against the state of Idaho. NBC Sports reports that in March, Idaho passed H.B. 500, also referred to as the “Fairness in Women’s Sports” law, which effectively bars trans women and girls from participating in sports that are consistent with their gender identity, and also requires girls and women to “prove” their biological sex (through genital and hormonal testing) if challenged.
The brief urges the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit to affirm the lower court ruling, arguing that trans girls and women should not be denied the benefits of participating in sports and was signed by current and former athletes in women’s sports like Megan Rapinoe who “believe that every young person, and especially youth who are transgender, or intersex, should be able to participate fully in sport alongside their peers and gain the benefits that sports participation brings.”
“There is no place in any sport for discrimination of any kind. I am proud to support all transgender athletes who simply want the access and opportunity to compete in the sport they love. The global athletic community grows stronger when we welcome and champion all athletes – including LGBTQI+ athletes,” Billie Jean King, founder of Women’s Sports Foundation writes.
