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# Nine in 10 US colleges lack protections for trans athletes
- URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/9-in-10-us-colleges-lack-protections-for-trans-athletes/
- Published: 2021-04-08T16:30:40.000Z
- Updated: 2021-04-08T10:18:21.000Z
- Description: A new study found the majority of US college athletic departments are lacking protections for LGBTQ+ athletes.
- Author: Rachel Badham
- Tags: News, Sport, Human Rights Campaign, LGBTQ, National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), Trans athletes, Transgender, US

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/lgbt-sports-soccer-ball-1.jpg)

LGBTQ+ advocacy group **Athlete Ally’s** [annual report](https://aei.athleteally.org/?ref=scenemag.co.uk), known as the **Athletic Equality Index**, found the majority of **US** college athletic departments are lacking protections for LGBTQ+ athletes and staff. The research found only 2.8% of athletes compete in departments which fully protect LGBTQ+ sportspersons from discrimination, while 92% of departments lack comprehensive policies to protect trans people.

Furthermore, out of 9,000 spectators interviewed as part of the study, the majority believed athletic environments were unwelcoming places for LGBTQ+ people, while 80% of departments had no code of conduct for fans. Out of 357 schools that play in Division 1 sports, only 10 achieved a perfect score of 100 on LGBTQ+ inclusion. 7 schools scored a 0.

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/rainbow-laces-sports-1-1.jpg)

The results come after a handful of states proposed bills aiming to ban trans athletes from participating in school sports. **Mississippi** was the first state to officially [pass the bill](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/mississippi-officially-bars-trans-athletes-from-school-sports/) this year, and **Tennessee** is following closely behind. The **National Collegiate Athletic Association** (NCAA) recently condemned the widespread hostility towards trans athletes, with president **Mark Emmert** writing a [letter](https://www.the360mag.com/ncaa-opposes-anti-trans-sports-bills/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) to the **Human Rights Campaign** where he said he is “concerned” about the situation.

He stated that the proposals are *“harmful to transgender student-athletes”* and said they contradict *“the NCAA’s core values of inclusivity, respect, and the equitable treatment of all individuals”*, adding: *“The NCAA Board of Governors policy requires championship host sites to demonstrate how they will provide an environment that is safe, healthy, and free of discrimination.”*

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/runners-sports-600-400-1.jpg)