Pennsylvania’s high school sports governing body has made changes to its policy regarding transgender athletes in response to President Donald Trump’s executive order. The previous policy allowed school principals to determine an athlete’s “gender,” but it has now been revised to defer to principals in determining a student’s “sex” to align with Trump’s order. Schools are now required to consult with their solicitors to ensure compliance with the executive order. While some states, like Maine, have signaled defiance against the order, others are adopting a wait-and-see approach.

President Trump signed the order on Feb. 5, granting the government authority to withhold federal funding from entities that allow transgender athletes to compete, citing concerns about fair athletic opportunities for women and girls. The NCAA and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics have also adjusted their policies in response, with the NCAA restricting women’s college sports to athletes assigned female at birth and the NAIA implementing a ban on transgender athletes in women’s sports starting in 2023.

Although the number of transgender athletes at the high school and college levels is relatively small, the issue gained attention during Trump’s campaign as he emphasized his commitment to preserving the integrity of women’s sports. Legal challenges are anticipated as the implementation of these policies unfolds, reflecting the ongoing debate surrounding transgender participation in athletics.