A recent Gallup poll reveals a significant shift in public opinion regarding transgender athletes' participation in sports. The May 2023 survey indicates that a substantial majority of Americans, 69%, believe transgender athletes should compete on teams aligning with their biological sex, not their gender identity. This marks a notable increase from a similar poll conducted in 2021, where 62% held this view.
The poll also highlighted a growing partisan divide on the issue. While support for transgender athletes competing based on biological sex remains strong across party lines, Republican support has seen the most significant increase, rising to 93% in 2023 from 86% in 2021. Independents also showed increased support for this position (67% in 2023 compared to 63% in 2021), while Democratic support saw a slight decrease, landing at 48% in 2023 from 55% in 2021.
Interestingly, familiarity with transgender individuals doesn't appear to significantly influence opinions on the matter. A slightly higher percentage of respondents who know a transgender person (64%) support competition based on biological sex compared to those who don't (72%). This suggests that personal connections may not be the primary driver of public opinion on this issue.
The debate surrounding transgender athletes in sports continues to be a contentious topic, extending into the political arena. The Biden administration's proposed Title IX regulations, aiming to prevent blanket bans on transgender athletes competing according to their gender identity, have clashed with the House-passed "Save Women’s Sports" bill, which seeks to restrict transgender women from competing in women's sports. President Biden has indicated he would veto the bill if it reaches his desk.
