Where does President Biden’s new “Equality Act” fit into the world of sports and more specifically, what does it mean for our kids?

At Kids in the Game, we believe every kid should have a chance to play. We share a common goal to provide positive experiences and opportunities through sports and creative play. Today, we want to unpack President Biden’s new ‘Equality Act,’ and how it fits into the world of sport across the country, as well as right here in New York City and in our programs. 

Within weeks of his inauguration, President Biden has hit the ground running by immediately placing executive orders in numerous departments. Several of his statements have been on the topic of health care reform, COVID-19 vaccine rollout, immigration policies, and more. As an organization rooted in youth development, each of these pieces are pivotal in our recovery from the past year. One topic that received mixed reviews in the press was Biden’s executive order to prevent discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation. This has particularly sparked discussion in the context of athletics — and who can and can’t compete.

So what does this mean for youth sports? How does this legislation help or hinder inclusion in our space?

Throughout history, the inclusion of non-cisgendered athletes on specifically men’s or women’s teams has been a frequent point of contention. Critics of non-cisgender inclusion on gender-specific teams (e.g., non-cis women on women’s teams) often rely on negative stereotypes based on gender and capability as the basis for their argument. Some would say the addition of these athletes creates an imbalance or inequity because they cannot compete at the same level as cisgendered athletes; they are either athletically superior to cisgendered women or inferior to cisgendered men. Some critics even suggest that women’s-only sports are meant to provide a space for women to compete at a level that requires less athleticism. However, history has shown this to be untrue given the number of women who now dominate the sports world. Athletes like Abby Wambach or Serena Williams prove that division on the simple basis of gender in sports is becoming more and more irrelevant when determining who is the “best.” 

Skeptics of non-cisgender inclusion in men’s and women’s sports also reference muscle mass capability and hormone production as reasons why inclusion might create inequities. However, when Caster Semenya, a Black South African runner who identifies as a woman, wowed viewers around the world with  her insane speed, the public’s reaction was telling of a much greater societal issue. Even her fellow sprinters used slurs and discredited her success by promoting negative stereotypes about her body and gender, with some even going so far as to allege that she was a man competing in women’s sports. Countless media outlets covered this event and its discourse, all the while only skimming the surface of the issue at hand. What they were pushing against was not her speed, her athleticism, or her credibility in general — it was her femininity and gender expression that they were not okay with. Her body was ridiculed for its “masculine” characteristics because it did not conform to public perceptions of what women should look like. These biases are also evident in the argument to exclude non-cisgender athletes because they do not conform to what others perceive as the traditional gender expression of men and women athletes. 

President Biden’s executive mandate to end basic discrimination based on gender identitiy or sexual orientation has major implications for athletics and youth sports particularly. This bill is not dissimilar to the actions that arose from genderless bathroom mandates back in 2014 (ACLU). By publishing this order, especially so soon into his presidency, President Biden is setting the tone for the next four years — creating a society that is hopefully moving away from hatred and discrimination, instead of towards it. This gives us great hope for our team, our kids, and our community. 

Some may argue that this will come as a disadvantage to girls and women in sports (Wall Street Journal). Here are a few reasons we don’t think that’s true. By creating a space that is free of discrimination based on sexuality and gender identity, this bill is simply providing a more welcoming and inclusive space for all participants. To include everyone is to progress the environments in which we live. Especially in youth sports, many children who have gender dysphoria or may be questioning their gender / sexual orientation often feel pigeon-holed into a binary choice, due to the existing structure of men’s and women’s athletics. This is likely a driving factor of athletes dropping out around the age of puberty and into high school, something we are working every day to address head on. By upholding these anti-discrimination clauses, coaches can break down the barriers that have harmed many youth — while at the same time, starting the conversation about our divisions in athletics altogether. 

Last year, one of our 2020 resolutions was to improve equal participation between girls and boys in our programs. Whether in after-school, on our sports teams, in our camps, or years down the road, we want to encourage our young female leaders to be in the game and stay in the game. We’re particularly focused on the alarming rates of drop-out for girls in middle school sports. As we continue to progress, we’re asking ourselves new questions. 

Is only two categories of teams enough? Why are so many of us still hesitating to have that conversation? Where are those feelings really coming from? How can we, as an organization committed to greater inclusion, acknowledge the discomfort felt by some to create space for more youth to excel?

Inclusion for all includes non-binary and transgender people. By enforcing a ban on discrimination on the basis of sexuality or gender identity, the tone of the sports industry is being shifted for good. In the case of youth sports and development, an inclusive environment goes far beyond helping kids become strong athletes.  The benefits for each child’s individual growth include  increased social intelligence, as well as heightened emotional intelligence and perception. 

One of the core reasons we exist is to foster a positive sense of self in kids. We are also committed to fostering equity and inclusion in our programs, giving every child a sense of belonging, the opportunity to succeed, and the chance to build their confidence. 

The Equality Act, as it has been named, provides non-discrimination protections for the LGBTQIA community that goes beyond athletics. The bill can be seen as a supplement to the 1964 Civil Rights Act — which does not have any mention of preventing discrimination on the basis of sexual identity or expression. In many instances, this might go unnoticed in our day-to-day lives. However, for many, having these words amended to governmental level legislation is an enormous stride in the direction of equality and justice for all. 

The Civil Rights Act was a hard fought piece of legislation, and we are still working to protect the basic civil rights of marginalized groups, regardless of their ethnicity, race, or religion. With the Equality Act expanding rights for the LGBTQIA community, we are hopeful that  sexual orientation and gender expression will continue to be respected and protected well into the future. For now, we still have work to do.

Learn more about the basics of the Equality Act here.

In 2020, social norms were challenged like never before. Social justice movements have risen to the front pages of newspapers across the country. As we reconsider what is important to us, we have come to understand values in a new sort of hierarchy– health, teamwork, coming together, commitment, and socialization have become the cornerstones of everyday life as we hope and wait for a better tomorrow. While we continue to do our part in staying home, it is more important than ever to integrate these principles into our daily lives. Sports have become a medium by which we can communicate the truly important parts of our lives. The push for equitable representation across minority communities has put into the spotlight the importance of standing up for one another, creating safe spaces for growth, and celebrating wins. This National Girls and Women in Sports Day holds a deeper meaning this year, as we are coming together to celebrate women’s accomplishments and their contributions in predominantly male spaces.

National Girls and Women in Sports Day was created to be recognized as a national holiday in 1986. At the time, it was considered a commemorative day for Flo Hyman, a champion in women’s rights and inclusion in athletics. Since then, the day has become to mean so much more. 

Girls participation in sports notoriously tapers off as they enter into adulthood. Less and less women participate in sports starting as young as 13 years old — and it is no secret that the media and societal portrayal of women in sports is not the same as the coverage of male athletes. The coverage of women’s sports did not surpass the coverage of dogs and horses until 1992, with women’s sports covering only 4% of all sport media coverage. Not to mention, diet culture has boxed women into a stereotypical idealist body type, staying small, petite, and skinny. The pressure put on young women to fit a certain standard often dissuades girls from continuing a sport that would make them physically stronger and masculine, an added stressor to an already existing highly masculine space. Biological debates surrounding sex differences have raised questions concerning horomone balances and the capacity to be as physically strong as men. Female athletes are more likely than male athletes to be portrayed in sexually provocative poses as a means of preserving their femininity in the male gaze while they occupy a more masculine sphere. Despite this, women have climbed the ranks in sports ranging from soccer to volleyball, scoring more goals than men in some areas. Though the push is towards equality, we must celebrate the wins of female athletes as they overcome the traditional sexist trope of US sports.

By celebrating our girls in sports on this day, we are rewriting the existing culture of exclusion in the record books down the line. It’s time we start giving credit where it’s due and acknowledge the most impeccable athletes of our time, many of whom are women. 

The lack of positive and common role models is one of the most cited reasons for girls to drop out of sports at a young age. There is a lack of representation when it comes to inspiring female athletes, and especially a lack of multiple identities. Therefore, young girls find it hard to feel empowered in an arena they do not see themselves represented in. When considering the “household names” we all know when it comes to athletes, the first few names will likely be men. While they may be incredible athletes and performers, there is a very good chance that they are not even the technical best in their field. For example, Abby Wambach has scored more goals than any man on the US National Men’s Soccer Team — but is still often referred to as the greatest female soccer player in the US. What will it take for her to be recognized as simply the best of the best?

A culture shift is what is necessary. Raising our girls with sports and celebrating their participation is only the beginning. We must surround ourselves with the achievements of people with frequently underrepresented identities that are akin to our own identities. At the same time, we must saturate the media and dialogue with these powerful women in order to create great role models that our kids won’t have to think twice about. 

Our NGWSD Event

“I am going to tell my mom that today is a national holiday, so I don’t think we should go to school on this day next year!”

The Kids in the Game Foundation believes in equity and for too long there have been opportunity gaps for girls in sports. To celebrate national Girls and Women in Sports Day, we hosted our first ever NGWSD event, including a virtual activity and panel session for girls (and guys) of all ages and their families! The event included a high energy Tabata session lead by Coach Frances, some awesome women in sports trivia, and a short panel discussion with Liz Kennedy and LaKaitlin Wright. Liz Kennedy is a former collegiate swimmer and is now the Head of Marketing at Raise for Good, a social impact focused consultancy specializing in purpose driven organizations looking to accelerate capacity, capital, and awareness. Originally from South Georgia, LaKaitlin Wright is a History major at Towson University, where she plays basketball. We had people join us in NYC and beyond for our event. We can’t wait to do it again next year!