US House Approves Bill Banning Transgender Athletes from Gender-Specific Sports
By Okafor Joseph Afam
January 15, 2025
The United States House of Representatives has passed a bill prohibiting transgender men from competing in men’s sports and transgender women from participating in women’s sports.
This landmark decision was announced by Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
“Today is a great day in America because House Republicans just passed @RepGregSteube’s Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act ensuring men cannot compete in women’s sports,” Johnson stated. “Men are men, women are women, and men cannot become women. It’s just that simple.”
The move is seen as a significant step towards shaping policies on gender and sports. Critics, however, argue that it marginalizes transgender individuals, sparking heated debates across the nation.
This development could signify a return to some of the controversial policies associated with incoming President Donald Trump’s administration. Notably, in 2017, then-President Trump announced a ban on transgender individuals serving in the U.S. military through a series of tweets.
The policy, which faced widespread criticism, was later overturned by outgoing President Joe Biden’s administration, allowing transgender individuals to serve openly in the military.
While it remains uncertain how President-elect Trump will address transgender issues upon assuming office, speculations suggest that his administration might reinstate previous bans, including the prohibition on transgender individuals in the military.
As the nation waits for Trump’s official stance, the passing of this bill has ignited discussions on the future of inclusion, equality, and rights for transgender individuals in America.
