Schools in Philadelphia will maintain their policy allowing transgender athletes to participate in girls’ sports, despite Pennsylvania’s announcement to adhere to President Donald Trump’s “No Men in Women’s Sports” executive order. The School District of Philadelphia stated that it will continue to uphold its existing policy promoting transgender inclusion. The district emphasized its commitment to ensuring safety, equity, and justice for all students, regardless of gender identity or expression, enabling them to envision and pursue their desired futures. The district will align its practices with Board Policy 252, which supports transgender and gender non-conforming students.
This announcement follows the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) revising its policy to restrict trans athletes from competing in women’s sports. The new policy allows school principals to determine a student’s “sex” when there is uncertainty and mandates that schools consult with their legal advisors regarding compliance with the executive order.
Philadelphia’s decision to defy Trump’s order marks a notable instance of a city opposing its state’s transgender inclusion policy since the order was enacted. In New York City, an education official expressed opposition to the state’s intention to comply with Trump’s order, yet both the city and state seem poised to continue permitting trans athletes to compete. The New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) has indicated that it will advise schools to follow current state law allowing trans athletes to compete with girls while seeking public input for a final decision. Meanwhile, Jasmine Ray, director of the NYC Mayor’s Office of Sports, Wellness, and Recreation, initially supported Trump’s order but later removed her statement after guidance from the mayor’s chief of staff.
As Pennsylvania navigates compliance with Trump’s order amid resistance from Philadelphia, other states are also experiencing divisions on this issue. The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) recently updated its policies to permit only athletes “designated as females at birth” to compete in girls’ sports.
