Regarding the U.S. Executive Order Restricting the Rights of Transgender Women Athletes
New Executive Orders in the U.S.
Since Donald Trump’s inauguration as U.S. President on January 20, 2025, he has signed a series of executive orders, including one that defines gender as only male or female, and another that significantly restricts transgender people from joining the U.S. military.
Then, on February 5, a new executive order was issued that bans transgender women from participating in women's sports. The order states that schools and organizations allowing transgender athletes in female categories will lose federal funding.
It also includes plans to revise immigration rules to deny entry to transgender athletes who wish to participate in women’s events at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Furthermore, the U.S. government has declared its intention to pressure the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to exclude transgender athletes from competition.
Rising Public Anxiety Around Inclusion of Transgender Women
Recently, I’ve been hearing more people around me say things like:
"I support LGBTQ+ rights, but I still feel uneasy about people who were born male entering women’s spaces."
Personally, I don’t believe individuals who feel this way are inherently discriminatory. However, when fear is deliberately stirred up to plant doubt and suspicion about transgender people, that is a form of discrimination.
There are two main reasons I believe these feelings of unease are becoming more common:
Discussions around transgender participation in sports are complex and hard to understand.
Transgender issues have been weaponized for political agendas, and fear-based misinformation—especially on social media—is spreading rapidly.
Since the news broke, I’ve received many interview and media inquiries. I’d like to take this opportunity to share my thoughts. It’s a long read, but I hope you’ll stick with me until the end.
Sport Should Be Open to Everyone
Above all, the ability for everyone to participate in sports without discrimination is a basic human right. This is clearly stated in Article 1 of UNESCO’s International Charter of Physical Education, Physical Activity and Sport.
Sport is not only about competition—it’s also a place for physical self-development, building friendships, and deepening understanding and respect. It helps create a society where everyone can live as their true selves.
I believe it’s essential to ensure that all individuals can safely and fairly participate in sports.
A Brief History of Women’s Categories in Sport
Historically, sports only had men’s categories. It was through years of struggle, especially by the feminist movement, that women established their own spaces in competition.
For example, at the 1900 Paris Olympics, women were only allowed to compete in a few events, and it wasn’t until the late 20th century that full participation across all events became possible.
Given this background, it’s understandable that cisgender women—who fought hard for their place in sport—might feel threatened when they perceive that space to be at risk.
That said, the system we have today—dividing athletes into male and female categories—was created at a time when the existence of transgender, non-binary, or intersex people wasn’t considered. As society now recognizes a wider range of gender identities, continuing to enforce a binary-only structure effectively excludes real people who live outside those categories.
This conversation is not about taking away space from cisgender women. It’s about rethinking and restructuring the entire sports system to be more inclusive.
The Role of Allies in a Time of Transition
A recent New York Times poll showed that 79% of Americans oppose transgender women participating in women's sports. Some use this statistic to justify excluding transgender athletes.
But minority rights cannot be decided by majority vote. If we do that, marginalized groups will always be pushed aside.
That’s why it’s so important for cisgender men and women—those who already have their rights recognized—to act as allies and help build a more inclusive model of sports.
Organizations like the IOC are currently working to develop fair and inclusive participation policies that minimize rights conflicts. The sports world is clearly in a transitional period, trying to find the best way forward.
Balancing Human Rights and Fairness in Sport
One of the biggest challenges is how to balance respect for human rights with fairness in competition.
Many sports organizations use testosterone levels as a standard, but hormone levels vary widely and science still doesn’t have all the answers. Current restrictions on transgender athletes should be carefully reviewed, based on science and a respect for human dignity.
Banning someone from women’s sports just because of their assigned sex at birth—without considering their current body or identity—goes against the very spirit of sport.
Some organizations are exploring flexible participation rules based on the level of competition (youth vs. elite), type of sport (contact vs. non-contact), and individual circumstances (e.g., medical transition).
Why Transgender Rights Are Being Politicized
There’s growing concern that “fairness” is being used as a cover to justify exclusion of transgender people.
In U.S. politics, LGBTQ+ issues have long been election talking points. After same-sex marriage was legalized in 2015, it became harder to use as a political wedge issue. So, transgender rights became the next target—especially in sports.
Claims like “trans rights threaten children and women” have proven to be an effective fear tactic. Conservative groups are now pouring money into anti-trans campaigns, and sports has become a major battleground.
This narrative is spreading globally, including in Japan.
But sports rules should never be dictated by a single country’s leader. Using sports as a political weapon only undermines its true purpose—bringing people together.
Toward a More Inclusive Future in Sport
As we've seen, sports-related transgender issues are deeply complex and have become politicized. That’s making constructive dialogue even more difficult.
This new executive order is already getting attention in Japan and may influence Japanese society and sports policy. But we must not shy away from open, respectful discussion—alongside transgender people, athletes, companies, NGOs, and other stakeholders.
I’ll continue doing my part to help create an environment where all athletes, regardless of gender identity, can compete safely and fairly.
Let’s work together to ensure sport truly belongs to everyone.
In Solidarity with Transgender Women Around the World
Finally, I want to express my deepest solidarity with transgender women around the world who have already endured discrimination, physical and emotional harm, loss of opportunities, and threats to their lives—not just in sports, but in every aspect of society.
Thank you for reading.
If you have time, I invite you to also read the article below:
“What Does ‘Fairness’ in Sports Really Mean?”
https://note.com/fuminosugiyama/n/nb56f081214a5
