Trump issues order to keep men out of women’s sports

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Wednesday designed to protect women’s sports and private spaces from intrusion by men who identify as women. The order, entitled “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports,” directs the secretary of education to work with the attorney general to ensure that Title IX is properly enforced. That means guaranteeing equal opportunity for women on the playing field, according to the order. Additionally, the order requires all executive departments and agencies to end funding for any educational programs that fail to recognize the distinction between men and women in sporting events and private spaces.

What else does the order require? The order requires that, within two months, representatives of major athletic organizations and governing bodies convene for a meeting to hear from female athletes who have been harmed by policies allowing men to compete in women-only sporting events. Sports governing bodies currently have divergent views and policies on the issue of men in women’s sports. State attorneys general will also meet to discuss best practices in defining and enforcing policies that will promote equal opportunities for women in sporting events.

What about international athletes? The executive order tasks the secretary of state and secretary of homeland security with adjusting U.S. policy to prevent men from entering the country with the purpose of participating in female sports. It also directs the secretary of state to leverage American influence to ensure that the International Olympic Committee adopts a similar stance. The United Nations should also be urged to protect women’s sports, according to the order.