Banning transgender students from participating in sports in Michigan schools is immoral & unethical

On March 10th, 2021, several members of the Michigan state legislature brought forward a bill proposal, SB 218, to effectively ban transgender students from participating in sports in Michigan schools.

NASW asserts that a ban on transgender students from participating in sports in Michigan schools is immoral and unethical.  Discrimination and prejudiced directed against any individuals on the bias of gender identity or gender expression, were actual or perceived are damaging to social the social, emotional, psychological, physical and economic well well-being of the affected individuals, as well as a society as a whole.

There is no logical or scientific basis for this bill. The great state of Michigan, our schools, and Michigan’s children don’t stand to benefit from it. It’s founded in malicious bias and targets children for exclusion and social maltreatment.

SB 218 implies that sex and gender are clear characteristics of a person at the time of their birth, but this reality challenges that claim. Biological sex and gender identity are not binary; they are on a spectrum we are only beginning to understand. One thing we do understand, though, is that transgender people fall well within observable human expressions of sex and gender. Being transgender is a normal thing, a natural thing, to be.

SB 218 implies that those who fall outside of its misinformed, prescribed definitions of gender and sex should be excluded from participating in the important social rituals represented by sports teams in our schools. There is already precedent that it’s a slippery slope when we impose these types of standards on gender and sex in sports. When we police people’s bodies, those who do not adhere to prescribed gender norms are often subject to intense scrutiny and mistreatment, including being forced to undergo invasive medical tests and physical exams as a threshold for participation. The rules and expectations SB 218 seek to impose on the bodies of Michigan’s children  and will impact all students. Imposition of rigid gender norms are harmful for all children—transgender and cisgender children alike—because it sets an unattainable standard and ostracizes those who don’t or can’t comply.

It is also deeply traumatic for children to experience social stigmatization. Deliberate exclusion is harmful for transgender children. Transgender children are already at heightened risk for violence in schools and this bill will only fan the flames. When singled out to be excluded from any part of school life, transgender children will suffer—socially, developmentally, emotionally, and potentially, physically. SB 218 is equivalent to state-sponsored cruelty and bullying. It is an overt attack on the fundamental rights of transgender children to fully participate in society, including in school sports.

As an organization, NASW stands behind transgender people; we recognize the dignity and worth of transgender people, and advocate for their safety and full inclusion in every part of society. Sex discrimination is already illegal under the federal Title IX, which protects children from discrimination and mistreatment in schools. NASW Michigan chapter stands with transgender Michiganders against this offensive and blatant effort by our state’s legislators to illegally exclude and cause harm. As social workers, we simply cannot stand aside and let this bill move forward. 

If legislators want to make a stance for anything as it relates to students, and gender identity, swift action to enhance funding to develop education, treatment services and research on behalf of people with diverse gender expression and gender identity is needed. As well as an increase in funding for  culturally competent training for all personnel and volunteers within private and public schools.

As social workers we must oppose egregious legislative efforts that supports discrimination, and act in alignment with the principles and values of our profession.

Maxine Thome, Ph.D., LMSW, MPH

Executive Director, National Association of Social Workers - Michigan Chapter