Philadelphia Schools Reject State Ban on Transgender Athletes in Girls’ Sports

The Philadelphia School District will maintain its inclusive policy for transgender students, defying a new Pennsylvania rule and a federal order from President Trump.

The Philadelphia School District announced it will continue allowing transgender athletes to participate in sports aligning with their gender identity, despite a new state policy and federal executive order mandating otherwise.
The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) recently revised its policy to comply with President Trump's executive order, which bans transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports.
Philadelphia's decision is grounded in its 2016 progressive policy, which supports LGBTQ+ students and prohibits discrimination based on gender identity or expression.
Legal experts argue that the executive order does not override Title IX or state laws protecting transgender rights, though schools participating in PIAA sports are expected to comply with the new rules.
Other school districts in Pennsylvania are reviewing their policies, with some considering compliance and others weighing legal challenges to the federal directive.