Indiana Trans Sports Ban Challenged

Eight transgender women athletes filed a friend of the court brief with the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals in Indiana challenging Indiana’s transgender sports ban, House Enrolled Act (HEA) 1041. The athletes who vary in age, sport, geography & level of competition include well-known athletes Hailey Davidson & Kayla Ward. All speak to the profound personal, social & emotional strength they have gained through sports. David Brown, Legal Director for the Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund stated, “Virtually every athletic regulatory body including the NCAA, World Athletics & the International Olympic Committee has had policies in place for years that allow for transgender people to participate fairly. All athletes benefit from inclusive & supportive policies that incentivize the development of critical life skills. What we are seeing with this law & similar laws across the country is yet another attempt to politicize trans lives & fearmonger to win elections, with absolutely no regard for reality or the devastating impacts these laws have on transgender young people.” The amicus curiae brief was filed in the lawsuit brought by the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana on behalf of A.M. a 10 -year-old girl who plays on her school’s all-girls softball team. HEA 1041 would deny A.M. the ability to play with her team because she is a transgender girl. According to the complaint filed in the lawsuit playing softball has helped A.M. to more fully experience her life as a girl. Not allowing her to do so would be a painful, constant reminder that she is not accepted by the world as the girl that she is.

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