UNITED STATES NATIONAL GOVERNING BODIES
USA Archery
USA Archery has no documented policy.
USA Artistic Swimming
USA Artistic Swimming has a policy that allows athletes to participate according to gender identity.
DOWNLOAD: USA Artistic Swimming Gender Inclusion Policy (2023)
USA Badminton
USA Badminton has no documented policy.
USA Baseball
USA Baseball has no documented policy.
USA Basketball
USA Basketball has no documented policy.
USA Biathlon
USA Biathlon policy states "all athletes in USBA Age Classes (Masters, U17, U15 and younger) may participate in the gender category that best aligns with their gender identity without restrictions, medical intervention, or proof of gender. Once an athlete selects a gender category for the season, they must compete in the same category for the remainder of the season. They may not switch categories during that season without receiving permission from an approval panel."
DOWNLOAD: USA Biathlon policy 2023
USA Bobsled and Skeleton
USA Bobsled and Skeleton has no documented policy but has a statement in its bylaws that prohibits discrimination on basis of sex or sexual orientation.
US Bowling Congress
US Bowling Congress has no documented policy.
USA Boxing - REQUIRES SURGERY
USA Boxing follows the outdated Stockholm Consensus, and requires genital surgery and gonadectomy:
2.4.5. Sex reassignment (in accordance with [outdated] IOC regulations): Any “individuals undergoing sex reassignment of male to female before puberty should be regarded as girls and women” (female). This also applies to individuals undergoing female to male reassignment, who should be regarded as boys and men (male).
Individuals undergoing sex reassignment from male to female after puberty (and vice versa) be eligible for participation in female or male competitions, respectively, under the following conditions:
- Surgical anatomical changes have been completed, including external genitalia changes and gonadectomy
- Legal recognition of their assigned sex has been conferred by the appropriate official authorities
- Hormonal therapy appropriate for the assigned sex has been administered in a verifiable manner and for a sufficient length of time to minimize gender-related advantages in sport competitions
Eligibility should begin no sooner than two years after gonadectomy. It is understood that a confidential case-by-case evaluation will occur. In the event that the gender of a competing athlete is questioned, the medical commission (ACRP/ABRM) shall have the authority to take all appropriate measures for the determination of the gender of a competitor.
DOWNLOAD: USA Boxing Medical Handbook
American Canoe (and Kayak)
American Canoe has no documented policy.
USA Climbing
USA Climbing's policy allows any competitor to register for a membership as the gender with which the competitor identifies. If that gender is different from the gender reflected on the competitor’s birth certificate or is a different gender from that previously used by the competitor as a USA Climbing member, the competitor must provide to USA Climbing an objective manifestation (documentation or other evidence) that shows the stated gender is sincerely held and reflects the person’s core identity. Documentation satisfying this standard generally may include, without limitation, government-issued documentation or documentation prepared by a health care provider or licensed counselor. The health care provider or licensed counselor must not be the athlete’s first or second-degree relative.
This rule is subject to any superseding rule or policy of any applicable national or international governing body with respect to international competition, meaning USA Climbing will default to IOC policy for international and Olympic competition.
LINK: USA Climbing Policy
USA Curling
USA Curling (USAC) updated its policy in October 2021 to note "an athlete’s declaration of gender identity through the process of registering for a gendered event is sufficient. If the athlete has declared a gender different from sex assigned at birth, the declaration cannot be changed, for sporting purposes, for the duration of the curling season."
DOWNLOAD: USA Curling Policy 2021
USA Cycling
USA Cycling released an updated policy in March 2018 that has different requirements for elite and non-elite racers.
At non-elite competition levels, a member may self-select his or her gender. Members who transition to a gender different from their gender on file with USA Cycling should contact USA Cycling to be placed in a class and category appropriate for that person’s racing resume and experience. USA Cycling may recategorize a member based on results achieved after a gender identity change. This policy may be used to either downgrade a member who is not able to compete in a higher category, or to upgrade a member who shows exceptional results in a given category outside of normal upgrade regulations.
At elite competition levels members may have the opportunity to represent the United States and participate in international competition. They may therefore be subject to the policies and regulations of the International Cycling Union (UCI) and International Olympic Committee (IOC). Read the full policy below.
DOWNLOAD: USA Cycling Policy (March 2018)
USA Diving
USA Diving has no documented policy but it has a strong inclusion statement that does not allow for discrimination based on gender or gender identity. USA Diving must follow FINA's policy for championship events.
US Equestrian
US Equestrian has no documented policy.
USA Fencing
USA Fencing currently follows the IOC 2015 Consensus statement policy:
1. Those who transition from female to male are eligible to compete in the male category without restriction.
2. Those who transition from male to female are eligible to compete in the female category under the following conditions:
2.1. The athlete has declared that her gender identity is female. The declaration cannot be changed, for sporting purposes, for a minimum of four years.
2.2. The athlete must demonstrate that her total testosterone level in serum has been below 10 nmol/L for at least 12 months prior to her first competition (with the requirement for any longer period to be based on a confidential case-by-case evaluation, considering whether or not 12 months is a sufficient length of time to minimize any advantage in women’s competition).
2.3. The athlete's total testosterone level in serum must remain below 10 nmol/L throughout the period of desired eligibility to compete in the female category.
2.4. Compliance with these conditions may be monitored by testing. In the event of noncompliance, the athlete’s eligibility for female competition will be suspended for 12 months.
DOWNLOAD: USA Fencing Athlete Handbook 2021-22 (page 133)
USA Field Hockey
USA Field Hockey has no documented policy.
USA Figure Skating
USA Figure Skating has no documented policy.
US Golf Association - REQUIRES SURGERY
US Golf Association follows the 2003 IOC Stockholm Consensus and requires athletes to have surgery prior to competing. This policy has not been updated since its inception.
DOWNLOAD: USGA Gender Policy (2005)
USA Gymnastics
USA Gymnastics has a policy applicable to transgender or non-binary individuals who want to participate in USA Gymnastics’ sanctioned activities. The policy does not apply to elite athletes, who need to follow international federation policies. The policy states:
"Transgender and non-binary athletes in levels other than Elite are permitted to compete without restriction in the gender category with which they identify."
DOWNLOAD: USA Gymnastics Policy for Transgender and Non-Binary Inclusion (2022)
USA Hockey
USA Hockey policy separates out youth and adult competitors at various levels of competitiveness and has a policy for non-binary athletes.
DOWNLOAD: USA Hockey Transgender Athlete Eligibility Policy (2019)
USA Judo
USA Judo has no documented policy but has a statement in its bylaws that prohibits discrimination on basis of gender identity.
USA Karate
USA Karate has a policy that has separate specifications depending on when an athlete transitions. Before puberty, athletes may compete according to their gender identity. After puberty, transgender athletes must follow the 2015 IOC Consensus Statement and have testosterone levels below 10nmol/L.
DOWNLOAD: USA National Karate-do Federation Gender Policy (2017)
USA Luge
USA Luge has no documented policy.
USA Pentathlon
USA Pentathlon has no documented policy.
USA Racquetball
USA Racquetball has no documented policy.
USA Roller Sports
USA Roller Sports follows World Skate's policy, which follows the 2015 IOC Consensus Statement and requires testosterone levels below 10nmol/L for trans women.
DOWNLOAD: USA Roller Sports 2019 World Skate policy
USA Rowing
US Rowing allows athletes to participate according to their gender identity and defaults to international rules when competition requires it to do so.
DOWNLOAD: US Rowing Policy 12/2022
USA Rugby
USA Rugby follows the IOC 2015 Consensus Statement.
DOWNLOAD: USA Rugby policy for transgender athletes (2020)
USA Sailing
USA Sailing follows the IOC 2015 Consensus Statement and World Sailing's policy (actual policy unavailable). USA Sailing bylaws state:
No person shall be denied the right to participate in any event within the jurisdiction of US SAILING or to manage or otherwise be involved in the participation of such event, or having so participated shall suffer any penalty for having participated, on grounds of race, color, religion, age, sex, or national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression, genetic information, or any other status protected by federal, state or local law, where applicable.
DOWNLOAD: USA Sailing Bylaws (amended Aug 8, 2017)
USA Shooting
USA Shooting has no documented policy.
USA Skateboarding
USA Skateboarding has no documented policy.
US Ski and Snowboard
US Ski and Snowboard has no documented policy.
US Soccer Federation
The United States Soccer Federation (USSF) opens its membership to all soccer organizations and all soccer players, coaches, trainers, managers, administrators and officials "without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or national origin."
For the purposes of registration on gender-based amateur teams, a player may register with the gender team with which the player identifies, and confirmation sufficient for guaranteeing access shall be satisfied by documentation or evidence that shows the stated gender is sincerely held, and part of a person’s core identity. Documentation satisfying the herein stated standard includes, but is not limited to, government-issued documentation or documentation prepared by a health care provider, counselor, or other qualified professional not related to the player.
This policy does not apply to Professional Leagues, and does not apply to the Federation’s National Teams programs, but application of this or a similar policy shall be re-evaluated at such time as FIFA addresses the issue. Policy created in 2013.
DOWNLOAD: USSF Policy Manual 2020-2021 (page 53)
USA Softball
USA Softball has no documented policy.
US Speedskating
US Speedskating has no documented policy.
US Squash
US Squash has no documented policy.
USA Surfing
USA Surfing has no documented policy.
USA Swimming
USA Swimming released a new policy on February 1, 2022 that requires athletes to be below a 5 nmol/L threshold for testosterone and prove suppression for 36 months, marking the first time a National Governing Body moved above a 2 year time period for suppression.
DOWNLOAD: USA Swimming policy 2022
USA Table Tennis
USA Table Tennis has no documented policy.
USA Taekwondo
USA Taekwondo has no documented policy.
USA Team Handball
USA Team Handball has no documented policy.
US Tennis
US Tennis policy:
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Those who transition from female to male are eligible to compete in the male category without restriction.
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Those who transition from male to female are eligible to compete in the female category under the following conditions:
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The athlete has declared that her gender identity is female. The declaration cannot be changed, for sporting purposes, for a minimum of four years.
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Hormonal therapy appropriate for the assigned sex has been administered in a verifiable manner and for a sufficient length of time to minimize gender-related advantages in sport competitions.
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In the event of non-compliance, the athlete’s eligibility for female competition will be suspended for 12 months.
DOWNLOAD: US Tennis Transgender Policy (2021)
USA Track & Field
USA Track & Field (USATF) Board of Directors adopted the updated its policy on transgender athletes to match the November 2015 update by the International Olympic Committee, thereby removing the requirement for surgery. USATF now uses the 2015 IOC Consensus Statement as its policy.
MARATHON MAJORS: Organizers of the Boston, Chicago, New York City, London and Los Angeles marathons all said they honor the gender that runners submit during sign-ups.
LINK: USATF Statement regarding transgender/ transsexual policy
USA Triathlon
USA Triathlon follows the 2015 International Olympic Committee guidelines for transgender athlete participation, as well as the United States Anti-Doping Agency rules regarding the use of testosterone, which is a banned substance which requires a theraputic use exemption (TUE) in order to avoid violating policy.
DOWNLOAD: USAT 2019 Transgender athlete policy
USA Ultimate
USA Ultimate invites all transgender and non-binary athletes to participate in USA Ultimate competition.
"Within our divisions as they currently exist, USA Ultimate will not discriminate on the basis of gender identity, regardless of sex assigned at birth, or any other form of gender expression for participation in any division. We affirm that people of all gender identities should have the freedom to participate in USA Ultimate sanctioned or championship series events in the division in which they feel most comfortable and safe based on their gender identity and should be recognized, respected and included at every level of the sport."
DOWNLOAD: USA Ultimate Transgender Policy (12/2020)
USA Volleyball
USA Volleyball updated its policy in 2021. It creates a pathway to participation that requires some invasive disclosure and committee review, but does not apply to any competition or event where the International Olympic Committee’s policy on transgender (TG) may apply, or to an international competition involving the USA National Teams. This may include, without limitation: (i) USA Volleyball National Team competitions or events, and (ii) competitions or events operated or sanctioned by FIVB, the IOC, the International Paralympic Committee or World Para Volley, whether involving beach, indoor or sitting disciplines.
"All [transgender] athletes must submit: 1) a statement that they wish to compete in the gender opposite that of their birth. Minors: parents or guardians must submit a similar statement, 2) statement from the treating physician and medical records as indicated, 3) lab reports of testosterone levels for athletes over age 13 as noted below. The Gender Commission (GC) may share relevant information with medical experts, as necessary. Once the GC has all required documentation, commission review will be completed within 10 days.
DOWNLOAD: USA Volleyball Gender Competition Guidelines (2021)
LINK: Gender Competition Guidelines
USA Water Polo
USA Water Polo has no documented policy.
USA Water Ski
USA Water Ski & Wake Sports has no documented policy.
USA Weightlifting
USA Weightlifing updated its policy in March 2021 (original created in January 2017). The policy is separated by pre and post-puberty categories. For pre-pubescent athletes, there is an "evaluation of competitive advantage," which is subjective and leaves room for discrimination. For adult transgender women, it requires two years of hormone therapy, instead of just one as listed by the IOC's 2015 Consensus Statement.
DOWNLOAD: USA Weightlifting policy for transgender athletes (March 2021)
USA Wrestling
USA Wrestling formally adopted a version of the 2015 IOC guidelines for Transgender Athlete participation in 2017. The policy states that before puberty, trans boys can compete against boys, and trans girls can compete against girls. After puberty, the following specifications are stated:
1. Those who transition from female to male shall only be eligible to compete in the male category without restriction after the athlete has declared that his gender identity is male.
2. Those who transition from male to female are eligible to compete in the female category under the following conditions:
- The athlete has declared that her gender identity is female. The declaration cannot be changed, for sporting purposes, for a minimum of four years.
- The athlete must demonstrate that her total testosterone level in serum has been below 10 nmol/L for at least 12 months prior to her first competition.
- The athlete’s total testosterone level in serum must remain below 10 nmol/L throughout the period of desired eligibility to compete in the female category.
- Compliance with these conditions may be monitored by testing. In the event of non-compliance, the athlete’s eligibility for female competition will be suspended for 12 months.
DOWNLOAD: USA Wrestling policy for transgender athletes (March 2017)
USA Para Powerlifting
USA Para Powerlifting has no documented policy.