Transgender Athletes

There is an increasing number of high-profile transgender athletes around the world in many sports. This has come about through the efforts of the athletes themselves to be considered legitimate competitors and by activism by the LGBTQ community in changing sports regulations to accommodate transgender athletes.

The opposition to including transgender athletes is often based on the argument regarding the different testosterone levels in males and females. There has been particular concern that transgender women would continue to have male physical attributes that would give them an advantage in competing with cisgender athletes. Discussion and controversy on the issue begins at the high school up to the professional athlete level, and includes the participation of coaches, referees, parents, governing bodies, doctors, and more.

Sports authorities continue to work with the issue of including transgender athletes and have been modifying their rules of participation. The International Olympic Committee allowed transgender athletes to participate beginning in 2004, subject to meeting some specific criteria. Other athletic organizations have, or are in the process of, following. There continues to be extensive research, required over the long term, to scientifically determine if transgender athletes have any particular competitive advantage in their sport.

We have identified the following transgender athletes as prominent in their sport. They participate in judo, football/soccer, weightlifting, Muay Thai, tennis, ice hockey, cycling, boxing, triathlon, body building, track & field, skiing, motorcycle racing, basketball, mixed martial arts, and golf. To read more about these individuals and their fascinating biographies, simply click on their name.

American Samoa