The Psychological Impact of Anti-Trans Policies in Sports

Sport has become one of the most visible and politicized arenas for debates about transgender rights, as evidenced by the recent subtle but significant change to the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC)’s Athlete Safety Policy. This change reflects the USOPC’s compliance with U.S. President Donald Trump’s Executive Order 14201, “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports,” effectively barring transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) athletes from participation in elite-level sports.

While legal arguments continue to unfold, the psychological impacts of these policies on TGD athletes are often left out of the headlines. This post discusses the science behind their psychological effects, as well as evidence-based recommendations for creating more inclusive athletic environments during increasingly uncertain times for TGD athletes.

Transgender Participation Policies by Level

Youth Sports (K-12): The participation of TGD youth in sports is typically governed by state and federal laws. Currently, a majority of U.S. states have existing laws barring TGN youth from competing in sports that align with their gender identity. These laws often disproportionately affect TGD girls.

Collegiate Sports (NCAA): While previously sport-specific and aligned with each sport’s national governing body, the NCAA updated its Participation Policy for Transgender Student-Athletes on February 6, 2025. The current policy specifically bans student-athletes assigned male at birth from competing on women’s teams, which applies to transgender women. It does not restrict student-athletes assigned female at birth from participating on men’s teams, which applies to transgender men.

Olympic Sports (USOPC): The USOPC’s Athlete Safety Policy barring TGD athletes from participating in sports is specific to Team USA athletes. The International Olympic Committee’s Framework on Fairness, Inclusion, and Non-Discrimination does not outright ban TGD participation in sports and instead emphasizes individual case assessments.

Psychological Impacts of Anti-Trans Sports Policies

Transphobia remains a serious problem in athletic spaces (Havey, 2021). A lack of inclusive environments is a primary barrier to sports participation for TGD athletes, who often report negative experiences in competitive sports due to anti-trans policies (Jones et al., 2017). LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly those with intersecting marginalized identities, face heightened psychological distress when subject to discriminatory policies (Woodford et al., 2018).

Sports are a well-established buffer against psychological distress. Limiting safe and inclusive access to sport and physical activity is associated with negative social, emotional, and mental health outcomes (Babiss & Gangwisch, 2009; Cardinal, 2020; De Moor, 2006). Excluding TGD people from organized sports removes protective factors and further marginalizes a population already at elevated risk for poor mental health outcomes.

Even in states and organizations that allow TGD athletes to participate, the broader, and often hostile, climate can deter participation altogether. When transphobia, misgendering, or a lack of safety are present in sporting environments, TGD athletes may avoid participation or feel pressured to conceal their identities. Both are associated with worse mental health outcomes (Havey, 2021; Lucas-Carr & Krane, 2011).

Recommendations for Inclusive Sports Systems

Policy-level interventions create the most lasting change and include:

• Implementing clear non-discrimination protections for gender identity and expression in sport governance policies.
• Developing inclusive participation guidelines that align with medical science and human rights principles.
• Enforcing anti-harassment and fan code of conduct policies to reduce bullying and spectator-based hostility.

Equally important are cultural shifts within teams and institutions, such as:

• Providing LGBTQ+ inclusivity training for coaches, athletic staff, and athletes.
• Ensuring mental health professionals reflect diverse identities and are trained in gender-affirming care.
• Fostering environments where TGD athletes feel safe to be out (or not) on their own terms.

Educational partnerships can also promote inclusive collaboration through:

• Partnering with organizations that offer TGD-inclusive curricula, such as Athlete Ally, TransAthlete, or campus LGBTQ+ centers.
• Amplifying the voices of TGD athletes in leadership, advocacy, and decision-making spaces.

Final Thoughts

Policies that exclude or stigmatize TGD athletes contribute to psychosocial stress with real mental health consequences. By understanding the psychological toll of anti-trans policies and implementing strategies to promote inclusive sports environments, we protect both the integrity of sport and the well-being of all athletes.