University Limits Sports Participation for Transgender, but Was It the Right Choice?

The debate over whether competitions should allow transgender women into sports teams has been discussed constantly. Recently, on July 1st, 2025, the president of the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. J. Larry Jameson agreed with the Trump administration, declaring limitations on trans women’s participation in sports such as swimming. Even though there isn’t a “correct” answer to the debate that benefits everyone, transgender women should be able to participate on the swim team- and here’s why.

Transgender women might seem to have an advantage when competing against cisgender women in sports, but that’s not true. Trans women are only allowed limited participation in sports or are required to take hormone therapy before competing, which causes them to have a disadvantage. Hormone therapy causes the skin to soften, reduces hair growth, etc., which allows males to have more female characteristics. Still, side effects can include being prone to injuries and impacts to their recovery and speed, causing them to be weaker than cisgender women. Many contests require trans women to take hormone therapy to become equal to cis women, but taking this therapy means they are more likely to become weaker than ciswomen, as it weakens their strength and reduces their muscles, making the competition unfair. Transgender women are similar to ciswomen, if not weaker in strength and speed, making it only fair for them to compete.

The inability to participate in sports can encourage others to bully and mock trans women. For trans athletes, sports are not only played to win medals, but also played as a passion. When their love is taken away, bullies can find this opportunity to mock them, telling them nobody wants them. The bullying can cause other issues as well, such as insecurities and self-distrust, showing that trans women and everybody else can benefit more when participating in sports.

Denial on sports teams will not only encourage bullying but also cause mental health issues. When experiencing bullying for a long period of time, trans women may become unsure about themselves. If they start to feel insecure about themselves for a long period of time, it can lead to health issues, and in severe cases, depression or even suicide. “Transgender youth are very vulnerable,” said Dr. Rachel Levine, the United States assistant secretary for health. “They are vulnerable to being bullied, to discrimination and harassment.”

In conclusion, transgender women should be able to participate and compete against cisgender women. The University of Pennsylvania may have limited trans women to prevent any advantages, but it also causes them to become “vulnerable to being bullied,” as Levine stated. to prevent anyone from feeling threatened, transgender women should be allowed to compete in sports, creating a safer environment for everybody.

Sources:

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/dec/28/rachel-levine-us-trans-health-official-profile

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6467404/2025/07/01/trump-lia-thomas-transgender-athletes-penn/