1. United States
2. Mass.
3. Letter

Banning transgender students from participating in sports that align with their gender identity is harmful and unnecessary. There is little evidence that transgender athletes have an unfair advantage, and these exclusionary policies target a small number of youth driven more by politics than fairness. Many schools already face challenges like underfunding, poor facilities, and abuse in sports programs that impact all students. Rather than addressing real issues, these laws promote fear, discrimination, and surveillance of students who don't conform to gender norms. For many transgender students, being able to play sports provides a crucial sense of belonging and community. Ultimately, these bans spread transphobia, divide school communities, and distract from making youth sports truly inclusive, safe spaces for all students. We should be focused on providing equal opportunities and resources, not singling out and excluding transgender youth from an integral part of the educational experience.