The participation of transgender people in competitive sports, a traditionally se’x-segregated institution, is a controversial issue, particularly the inclusion of transgender women and girls in women’s sports.
Opponents argue that transgender women have an unfair advantage over, and may endanger, cisgender women in competitive sports due to se’x differences in human physiology, and that these differences are not sufficiently reversed by transgender hormone therapies. Supporters of transgender athletes argue that medically prescribed puberty blockers and estrogen suppress testosterone levels and reduce the muscle mass of transgender women, reducing possible competitive advantages.’ Supporters also argue that sport, particularly youth sports, is also about belonging, well-being, and socialization of young people.’ The American Medical Association states that legislation barring trans women from women’s sports harms the mental health of transgender people.
