2SLGBTQIA+ Inclusion in Sports, Athletics, and Recreation
Resources included here are for educational purposes only and do not indicate affiliation or partnership with the Washington State LGBTQ Commission.
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Participation in sports should be a level playing field for everyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
The Washington State LGBTQ Commission knows how important it is for 2SLGBTQIA+ people of all ages to be included in athletics. It is especially important that Two Spirit, transgender, non-binary, gender-diverse, and intersex individuals are allowed and encouraged to play on the team that best aligns with their gender identity.
This topic has become highly politicized in recent years and lots of misinformation surrounds transgender inclusion in sports. The intention of this page is to provide reputable information on this topic and share how Washington state approaches athletic inclusion.
Did you know? The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) and Gender Diversity created a model policy for transgender and gender diverse youth in sports in 2007! This policy has been supported by all major league sports teams in Seattle. You can learn more by viewing their Gender Diverse Youth Sport Inclusivity Toolkit.
Recent news articles around 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion in sports
Playing sports is good for trans kids' mental health [LGBTQ Nation - 6/28/25]
- How a new study on how sports can impact mental health for transgender youth.
Several LGBTQ Pride Grand Marshals are athletes. We’d still love to see more. [OutSports - 6/27/25]
- Showcasing LGBTQ celebrations this year featuring LGBTQ+ athletes, including Cheer Seattle.
Trump Administration Says California Must Bar Trans Girls From Girls Sports [AP News - 6/25/25]
- News regarding California's gender inclusive school policies.
Meet the 12 new members of the LGBTQ Sports Hall of Fame [OutSports - 4/10/25]
- Sue Bird is among 12 new inductees into the LGBTQ Sports Hall of Fame.
Proposal to limit transgender athletes' participation in sports blocked in Washington state [KUOW - 3/31/25]
- News around WIAA continuing to follow state law and blocking amendments that would potentially ban or limit transgender participation in sports.
Recent statements from agencies and community organizations supporting 2SLGBTQIA+ sports
- Read Superintendent Reykdal's comments on a U.S. Department of Education investigation into OSPI's enforcement of nondiscrimination law and protections for transgender and gender-expansive youth.
- Read Superintendent Reykdal's comments on President Trump's Executive Order banning transgender girls and women from women's sports.
Transgender Athlete Participation in Sport
- The official position of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee on transgender athletes' participation.
Supporting Transgender Inclusion in Youth Sports
- Statement from the National Recreation and Park Association around best practices and resources for transgender inclusion.
WSF Statement on State Bills Banning Transgender Youth Sport Participation
- Statement from the Women's Sports Foundation on bills that aim to restrict students' ability to participate in sports.
- Signed by the American Association of University Women (AAUW), California Women's Law Center, End Rape on Campus, Equal Rights Advocates, Feminist Majority Foundation, Gender Justice, Know Your IX, Legal Momentum, the Women's Legal Defense and Education Fund, Legal Voice, National Organization for Women, National Women's History Alliance, National Women's Law Center, National Women's Political Caucus, Public Justice, Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law, Southwest Women's Law Center, Surge Reproductive Justice, Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport, Women Leaders in College Sports, Women's Law Project, and Women's Sports Foundation.
Digital guides and tools that support 2SLGBTQIA+ athletes and their families.
- WIAA's model policy on transgender youth in sports, created in collaboration with Gender Diversity.
- Athlete Ally’s Athletic Equality Index is a tool to evaluate NCAA school's athletic departments LGBTQ+ inclusion efforts.
Transgender at the Gym: Tips and Experiences for the Gym and Locker Room
- A guide from Point of Pride for transgender individuals using a gym or locker room.
- Guide from Athlete Ally for sports leaders looking to make their teams more inclusive and equitable.
10 Policies for LGBTQI+ Inclusion
- Information from Athlete Ally around policies that can be implemented to help LGBTQI+ individuals feel more accepted in sports.
LGBTQ People in Sports Media Guide
- A media guide from GLAAD on best practices for the media when covering LGBTQ people in sports.
Part of the Team: Holding Conversations About Trans-Inclusive Sports
- Chatbot created by the Human Rights Campaign to help learn how to have conversations around transgender participation in sports and combat misinformation.
Studies, Reports, and Data around 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion in sports.
Fair Play Report: The Importance of Sports Participation for Transgender Youth
- This report from the Center for American Progress discusses the importance of sports for transgender youth.
Play to Win: Improving the Lives of LGBTQ+ Youth In Sports
- Study from the Human Rights Campaign around how sports and recreation plays a role in LGBTQ+ youth's health and happiness.
- Study conducted by Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago, the University of Minnesota, and Northwestern University.
The Impact of Transgender Sports Participation Bans on Transgender People in the US
- The Williams Institute looks into how bans are impacting transgender athletes.
- A study from the Trevor Project on how sports have played a role in young transgender girls' lives.
Articles, FAQ sheets and more around 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion in sports.
Four Myths About Trans Athletes, Debunked
- By the ACLU, this article covers 4 myths that are commonly associated with transgender participation in sports.
FAQ: LGBTQ+/Transgender & Gender Expansive Policies
- FAQ guide from Athlete Ally and Out in Athletics.
A Brief History of Transgender Athletes in the Olympics
- From transathlete.com, this timeline goes over transgender participation in the Olympic Games.
Gender Affirming and Inclusive Athletics Participation
- An article from GLSEN on how inclusion in athletics can support and affirm an individual's gender identity.
Get the Facts about Bans on Sports Participation By Transgender & Non-Binary Students
- Fact sheet from the Human Rights Campaign on how bans on participation in sports impacts transgender and non-binary youth.
The Truth About Trans Athletes
- Article from Men's Health going over the facts on transgender participation in athletics.
Podcasts featuring 2SLGBTQIA+ athletes and sports.
Athlete Allies: Chris Mosier and Anne Lieberman
- On the ESPN podcast That's What She Said with Sarah Spain, learn about the importance of sports for transgender and non-binary people.
Legal Heavyweights Chase Strangio and Neena Chaudhry on Trans Athletes and Sports
- The Sports Wise podcast invites their guests to speak on legal impacts for transgender athletes.
- The Translash podcast invites CeCé Telfer and Chris Mosier to talk about their stories.
Trans Athletes, Trump, and the Right to Play Sports
- ACLU of New York Podcast episode on the current state of affairs for transgender athletes.
The Science of Trans Athletes (with Schuyler Bailer @pinkmantaray) | Sci Guys Podcast #218
- A conversation about the science behind some of the debate about inclusion in sports with Schuyler Bailer, transgender NCAA Division I athlete.
Videos, movies, and documentaries around sports inclusion for 2SLGBTQIA+ people.
Please note that some might not be free resources and might require a subscription service to view.
Debunking Myths about Transgender Athletes
- This 6-minute video from the Human Rights Campaign features Schuyler Bailer, the first openly transgender NCAA Division I athlete going over common misconceptions about transgender athletes.
Veronica Ivy - Trans Women in Women's Sports | The Daily Show
- The Daily Show's Trevor Noah interviews Veronica Ivy, activist and cycling champion on the state of sports for transgender women.
Changing the Game - A Hulu Original
- This documentary features three high school transgender athletes and their stories. You can see the trailer here.
How Playing Sports Changed This Trans Kid's Life | Let Them Play | SELF
- Take a look at the life of a transgender athlete when transgender youth are allowed to play on the teams they choose.
Transgender student shares perspective on youth sports | GMA
- A part of Good Morning America's pride season, hear from a transgender athlete on why participation in sports is important.
Who Benefits From "Fairness" in Sports? | Schuyler Bailar | Lovett or Leave It
- Jon Lovett interviews Schuyler Bailer on the impact of the idea of fairness in sports.
Athlete Ally: Championing Inclusion In and Through Sport
- An overview of the Athlete Ally organization and why they work to improve LGBTQ+ inclusion in sports.
National organizations focused on 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion in sports and athletics.
- Athlete Ally is a national organization whose mission is to help every athlete act as an ally and ensure every LGBTQIA+ person is welcome and safe in sports. Their work has contributed to victories like lobbying the Olympic Committee to include sexual orientation in the Olympic Charter.
- TransAthlete is a resource hub for athletes and their support systems. On their site you can find LGBTQ+ terminology, implicit bias resources, compiled policies around trans inclusion in sports and more.
- The You Can Play Project works to promote inclusion of LGBTQ+ athletes through campaigns, trainings, resources and more. The You Can Play University offers online courses and live events for training around LGBTQ+ inclusion in sports.
National Center for LGBTQ Rights Sports Project
- A legal organization focused on LGBTQ litigation and policy, the NCLR's Sports Project was founded in 2001 to fight discrimination against LGBTQ athletes.
- Outsports is a news website dedicated to LGBTQ issues and athletes.
- The world's largest sport event for the LGBTQ+ community. The XII games will be in Valencia, Spain.
Advocates for Trans Equality - Sports
- Resources and information for trans youth of all ages from Advocates for Trans Equality.
- SEF is a national non-profit focused on showing how inclusivity in sports benefits everyone. They host the LGBTQ Sports Hall of Fame.
- Organization encouraging LGBTQ+ participation in sports, mainly in NCAA schools.
- Women's Sports Foundation is a national advocacy organization for women in sports. They also advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion in sports.
International Group of LGBTQIA+ Aquatics
- This organization supports LGBTQIA+ athletes in aquatic sports. The Orca Swim Team, in Seattle, is a member of IGLA.
International Gay Bowling League
- IGBO is an organization that supports LGBTQ+ bowlers.
National Gay Flag Football League
- A national organization focused on promoting LGBTQ+ inclusion in flag football and athletics. Cascade Flag Football is a member.
- International organization for LGBTQ+ softball players in United States and Canada. Emerald City Softball Association, in Seattle, is a member.
International Gay Figure Skating Union
- International organization for LGBTQ+ skaters.
National Gay Basketball Association
- National organization promoting LGBTQ+ inclusion in basketball. Seattle's Basketball Club is a member.
International Association of Gay/Lesbian Country Western Dance Clubs
- International LGBTQ Country Western Dance association. Rain Country Dance Association, in Seattle, is a member.
Pride Cheerleading Association
- International LGBTQ+ cheerleading association.
Gay and Lesbian Tennis Alliance
- International LGBT tennis organization.
- Collection of LGBTQ+ hockey teams in cities across the United States
Organizations and teams across Washington state focused on 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion in sports and athletics.
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View LGBTQ+ sports events happening in Seattle.
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OutLoud Sports Seattle has multiple sports. Hosts annual Kickball tournament in July.
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Home to multiple sports in the Seattle area.
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View LGBTQ+ sports events happening in Tacoma.
Emerald City Softball Association
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LGBTQIA+ and allied softball league in Seattle established in 1980.
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A social bicycling club in Seattle.
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LGBTQ+ and allied swim team in Seattle established in 1984.
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LGBTQIA+ community and allied walking and running club in Seattle. Hosts annual Run & Walk with Pride Event.
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Spokane LGBTQ+ running club. Hosts annual Rainbow Run 5k.
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Local queer runs in Bellingham.
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Tennis association in Seattle for the LGBT community and allies.
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LGBTQ+ soccer club representing Seattle nationally and internationally for 35+ years.
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LGBTQIA+ recreational basketball league in Seattle.
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"One of the oldest and largest gay motorcycle clubs in North America," Border Riders is a motorcycle club for gay men in Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia.
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LGBTQ community organization focused on the outdoors, based in Seattle with membership throughout the Pacific Northwest.
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Pacific Northwest LGBTQIA+ winter sports club.
Rain Country Dance Association
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LGBTQ country western dance community in Seattle and greater Puget Sound area.
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LGBTQ+ ally cheer team raising funds for underserved populations in the South Puget Sound.
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Cheerleading organization in Seattle raising awareness for the LGBTQIA+ community.
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LGBTQ+/BIPOC hikers and trail runners.
Seattle Pride Hockey Association
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LGBTQ Hockey association in Seattle.
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Seattle hockey club open to women and non-binary individuals.
Seattle Quake Rugby Football Club
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First inclusive men's rugby team in the Pacific Northwest.
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LGBTQ+ flag football league in Seattle.
Resources across Washington state agencies that could be helpful for 2SLGBTQIA+ athletes.
Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA)
- WIAA's mission is "to provide opportunities for all students to excel in athletics, performing arts, and other activities while promoting fair play, sportsmanship, and teamwork".
WIAA Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee
- Learn about WIAA's efforts to support their membership and affiliates to be more inclusive, including the STRIDE Initiative.
- WIAA's model policy on transgender youth in sports, created in collaboration with Gender Diversity.
Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI)
- OSPI is the primary agency in charge of overseeing K-12 public education in Washington.
- Contact your school's Civil Rights Coordinator, see a guide to discrimination complaints, read OSPI's guidelines on nondiscrimination law and policy and more.
OSPI Access & Opportunity in Education
- View programs that aim to make Washington state schools more accessible to everyone.
Washington State Governor's Office of the Education Ombuds (OEO)
- The OEO works with families, communities, and schools to address problems together so that every student can fully participate and thrive in Washington's K-12 public schools. Watch a video on what OEO does here.
OEO FAQs on Athletics and Activities
- Commonly asked questions on athletics in Washington public schools.