The National Association of Intercollegiate College on April 8 released a new policy on transgender athletes, banning trans women from competing under its jurisdiction.
The new policy, which is set to go into effect Aug. 1, states that "all eligible NAIA student-athletes may participate in NAIA-sponsored male sports" but "only NAIA student-athletes whose biological sex* is female may participate in NAIA-sponsored female sports." The asterisked information details restrictions if an athlete who was assigned female at birth is taking masculinizing hormones and playing for a designated female team.
The Council of Presidents voted 20-0 to approve the policy.
Following its release, trans-rights activists expressed their disappointment in such a decision. Illinois Department of Human Rights Director Jim Bennett emphasized that this type of discrimination is not permitted in the state.
"Allowing students to participate in sports, clubs, and other gender-based activities that align with their gender identity is consistent with both Illinois and federal law," he said in a press release. "In Illinois, students are protected by the Illinois Human Rights Act (IHRA), and they cannot be prevented from accessing, fully participating in, or enjoying extracurricular activities due to their gender-related identity."
However, the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) did not share the same sentiment. The CCAC, which falls under the jurisdiction of the NAIA, and its Council of Presidents said they believe "this policy underscores the conference's commitment to ensuring that female athletes have a level playing field, safeguarding the integrity of women's sports" in a press release.
Beginning in 2011, the NCAA allowed trans women to compete on women's teams if they completed one year of testosterone suppression. As of 2022, the organization has operated under the idea of a "sport by sport" approach, where NCAA teams would be regulated by rules put forth by the national governing body of that specific sport. Much of these regulations involve reporting testosterone levels at different points throughout the year.
The discussion surrounding the rights of trans athletes got put in the spotlight ahead of University of South Carolina's NCAA Women's Basketball Championship victory, when head coach Dawn Staley expressed support for trans women and their rights to play on women's teams. Black LGBTQ leaders across the country proceeded to jump in to show their support for Staley and her comments.
