USA Volleyball Bans Transgender Athletes in Women’s Sports Under Trump Order

USA Volleyball (USAV) has swiftly aligned itself with President Donald Trump’s recent executive order, titled "Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports," by implementing a new gender eligibility policy that bars transgender athletes from competing in girls’ and women’s events. Effective immediately, all USAV members must participate in sanctioned events according to the gender listed on their birth certificate. This move marks a significant shift from previous policies that allowed transgender athletes to compete under specific conditions.

The decision follows updated guidance from the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC), which mandates compliance with the federal directive. In a statement, USOPC leaders emphasized the need for fair and safe competition environments, particularly for women, prompting national sports governing bodies to revise their policies accordingly. USAV’s update, announced on Thursday, ensures adherence to federal expectations, joining other organizations like USA Fencing in this rapid policy overhaul.

Previously, USAV’s rules for the 2024-2025 season permitted transgender athletes to compete if they met stringent criteria, including notifying the organization weeks in advance and providing medical documentation like testosterone level reports. For adult athletes assigned male at birth, competing in women’s events required maintaining testosterone levels below a specified threshold for at least a year. All such exceptions are now void under the new, strict birth-certificate-based rule.

Since the executive order was signed on February 5, a wave of compliance has swept through sports bodies. The NCAA led the charge with an immediate policy update, while numerous states—24 and counting—have enacted similar bans on transgender participation in girls’ and women’s sports. Even institutions like the University of Pennsylvania have adjusted their stance following extensive reviews.

This policy shift raises broader questions about inclusivity versus competitive fairness in sports. As the landscape evolves, the impact on athletes and the spirit of the game remains a topic of intense debate, one that will likely continue to dominate headlines as more organizations fall in line.