Skip to main content

“How are we different than other kids?”: A transgender student wrestler fights legislative efforts to restrict participation in school sports

If passed, Texas' anti-transgender legislation will require student athletes to play on school sports teams that don't align with their gender identity.

Republish
In this video, a transgender wrestler fights legislative efforts to restrict participation in school sports. Credit: The Texas Tribune

Sign up for The Brief, our daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news.

Texas lawmakers are trying to require transgender student athletes to play on school sports teams aligned with the gender assigned at or near birth. However, the University Interscholastic League that regulates school sports in the state already prevents transgender student athletes from playing on teams based on their gender identity.

Supporters of the legislation say it would protect female athletes and maintain fairness in student athletics. Critics say anti-transgender legislation discriminates against transgender Texas children. This legislation hurts their mental health, LGBTQ advocates say.

This video centers 18-year-old Eli, a transgender man who asked to be identified by his first name only out of fear of harassment and bullying. Eli was required to compete on his high school's women's wrestling team in Houston as his gender marker said female.

Senate Bill 29 sought to limit transgender students' sports participation, but failed to pass earlier this year. Gov. Greg Abbott wants lawmakers to try again during their second special legislative session this summer.

Join us Sept. 20-25 at the 2021 Texas Tribune Festival. Tickets are on sale now for this multi-day celebration of big, bold ideas about politics, public policy and the day’s news, curated by The Texas Tribune’s award-winning journalists. Learn more.

Wait! We need your help.

More than 2 million people read Texas Tribune articles every month, but only 12,000 of those readers also donate to support the news they count on. Not even 1% of readers! If you are one of the 99% of Texas Tribune readers who hasn’t made a donation before in support of independent Texas news, you can change that today. A small donation makes a big impact.

Our Spring Member Drive is an important time to help our newsroom plan for what resources will be available for them to tackle longer investigations and bigger projects later this year. Texas Tribune journalists need the support of readers to write the articles, take the photographs and create the data visualizations that impact Texans and Texas policy.

We have a goal to have 500 readers become Texas Tribune members during our Spring Member Drive. As the Tribune member community grows, the journalism you read here is better protected. Will you make a donation today to show your support of independent Texas news?

DONATE NOW

Information about the authors

Lauren Santucci’s staff photo

Lauren Santucci

Multimedia Fellow

Todd Wiseman’s staff photo

Learn about The Texas Tribune’s policies, including our partnership with The Trust Project to increase transparency in news.

Explore related story topics

Demographics Politics Public education State government