The Striking Change in Americans' Views of Transgender Athletes
Democrats who say transgender athletes should be allowed to play on sports teams that match their gender identity fell from 55 percent in 2021 to 47 percent this year.
At the same time, the number of Democrats who say transgender athletes should only participate on teams that match their birth gender has gone up from 41 to 48 percent in the same time period.The discussion surrounding LGBTQ+ inclusivity in sports has ramped up in the last couple of years and is part of the wider national conversation about transgender women and female spaces.Last year, trans swimmer Lia Thomas sparked heated debate over her participation on the University of Pennsylvania's women's swim team.
She went on to become the first openly transgender athlete to win an NCAA Division I national championship in any sport.Essential sports reported that when Thomas was swimming for the men's team, Thomas was "ranked 554th in the 200-yd freestyle, and she is now fifth in the event this year."Furthermore, in the 500-yd freestyle, Thomas was 65th in the country.
