Caitlyn Jenner says she’d let some trans girls play sports – but not all
Caitlyn Jenner in conversation at the Los Angeles Times Ideas Exchange in 2017. (Getty/ Araya Doheny)
Caitlyn Jenner has changed her mind yet again on trans girls playing sports, saying she would allow some to compete if a “commission” approved them.
In April 2020, around a year before she decided to run for governor of California, Jenner insisted she acknowledged the right of “every trans person” to play sports as their correct gender.
Speaking on Outsports podcast The Trans Sporter Room, she said: “I think every trans person, if they’re into athletics, should have an opportunity to compete and to improve themselves… I’m all for it. I’m all for it.”
But earlier this month, she u-turned, claiming that allowing trans athletes to compete under their correct gender identity “just isn’t fair”.
Now, the former Olympian and Keeping Up With the Kardashians star has changed her mind yet again.
Appearing on Fox News on Wednesday (26 May), Jenner declared that “of course” trans girls should be able to play sports, but only if they medically transitioned at a “very young” age.
Caitlyn Jenner wants a ‘commission’ to decide which girls are trans enough to play sports
Caitlyn Jenner insisted that she wanted to “put together a commission”, if she were to become governor of California, to decide which trans girls are allowed to play sports.
“Trans women compete in the Olympics, they compete in the NCAA, but when it gets down to the high school level, there’s no guide rules, there’s no rules and regulations how they can.
“And trans women, who are truly trans, who at a very young age, you know, started proper medical treatment, they’ve grown up as girls, of course they should be able to compete in girls’ sports.
“But yes, some guy who hasn’t done any therapy, hasn’t done anything, there has to be a review board.
“And I would be the first governor to put together a review board to review each case.”
Jenner did not explain on what criteria girls would be “reviewed”.
Confusingly, she then described trans girls playing sports as a “non-issue”.
“It’s like a non-issue that’s out there,” she added. “And I would be surprised if there’s 30 trans athletes in the entire state.”
