The Right of Transgender Youth To Participate on Sports Teams That Align with Their Gender Identity
Adopted at the 89th Annual Meeting in 2021
WHEREAS, research demonstrates that there is a direct correlation between increased physical activity and decreased childhood obesity rates; and
WHEREAS, mayors understand that playing on a team helps children to develop many of the social skills they will need for life and teaches them to cooperate, to be considerate, and to listen to other children; that after a year of social distancing and the COVID 19 pandemic, team sports give children a sense of belonging; that team sports help them make new friendships and builds their social circle outside school; and that sport participation fosters healthy relationships with peers and coach-mentors; and
WHEREAS, physical activity has been shown to stimulate chemicals in the brain that make people feel better; when we exclude youth from participation, we limit their opportunity to develop better ways to cope with the highs and lows of life; and playing sports helps children learn to control their emotions and channel negative feelings in a positive way; and
WHEREAS, The United States Conference of Mayors adopted a resolution in June 2018 stating that "the Title IX prohibition against discrimination on the basis of sex includes, by definition, discrimination on the basis of gender identity;" and
WHEREAS, The United States Conference of Mayors adopted a resolution in June 2018 stating that "mayors have a critically important interest in the effective enforcement of state and local nondiscrimination laws, including laws prohibiting discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer people within our jurisdictions,"
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that The United States Conference of Mayors believes that transgender youth have a right to participate on sports teams that best match their gender identity.