Are transgender sports bans really about protecting women? Survey data tells a different story
Relatively few transgender athletes participate in high school and collegiate sports. Still, since 2020, 27 states have passed laws banning them from participating in sports based on their gender identity.
A recent survey of 1,000 Americans reveals a surprising link between negative attitudes toward women and support for bans on transgender athletes competing in women's sports. Despite the common argument that such bans aim to protect women from unfair competition, the data suggests the opposite may be true.
Researchers found that those with the most negative views of women and gender equality were the most likely to back these restrictions, with 79% of respondents at the highest end of hostile sexism supporting such bans, compared to only 28% among those with the most positive views. Similarly, 70% of individuals opposed to Title IX, which promotes gender equity in sports, favored the bans, while only 43% of Title IX supporters did.
This finding challenges the narrative that bans on transgender athletes are driven by a desire to protect female athletes. Instead, the survey indicates that hostility toward women and opposition to gender equality policies are strong predictors of support for these bans. While not conclusive, the consistency of these results makes it difficult to accept that protecting women is a primary motivation for those advocating such restrictions.
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