Most Americans Oppose Trans Athletes Competing Outside Their Birth Sex
Most Americans Are Uncomfortable with Transgender Athletes in Women’s Sports: What the Surveys Say
The Big Picture
Imagine you’re at a school track meet. A topic that’s been in the news a lot lately is whether transgender girls and women (people who were born male but identify as female) should be allowed to compete on girls’ and women’s sports teams.
This summer, the U.S. Supreme Court (the highest court in the land) said states can make laws saying transgender athletes must play on teams matching the sex they were born with. Famous athletes in the WNBA and tennis have also shared their thoughts, getting everyone talking.
But what do regular Americans think? The Pew Research Center asked over 15,000 adults in two big surveys during 2025. Here’s what they found, explained simply.
Key Findings at a Glance
IMPORTANT NUMBERS TO REMEMBER
- 73% of Americans feel uncomfortable with transgender athletes competing on teams that don’t match their birth sex.
- 66% support laws or policies requiring athletes to play on teams matching their birth sex.
- 56% also support laws protecting transgender people from discrimination in jobs, housing, and public spaces.
- Support for restrictions has grown among both Republicans and Democrats in recent years.
How the Surveys Worked
Pew Research Center didn’t just ask a few friends. They did it scientifically:
- November 2025 Survey: Asked 10,357 U.S. adults.
- February 2025 Survey: Asked 5,097 U.S. adults.
- Who answered? Members of the "American Trends Panel"—a group that represents the whole country.
- What did they ask? Questions about comfort levels, support for laws, and beliefs about gender.
The Political Divide: Republicans vs. Democrats
This is where things get really different depending on who you vote for.
Republicans: Strongly Uncomfortable
- 91% of Republicans/Lean Republicans are uncomfortable.
- 95% of conservative Republicans.
- 84% of moderate/liberal Republicans.
- 88% favor laws requiring birth-sex teams (up from 85% in 2022).
Democrats: More Divided
- 55% are uncomfortable (but 45% are comfortable or somewhat comfortable).
- Big split by ideology:
- Liberal Democrats: 37% "extremely/very comfortable," 24% "somewhat comfortable."
- Conservative/Moderate Democrats: 68% uncomfortable.
- 45% favor birth-sex team laws (up from 37% in 2022).
SIMPLE TAKEAWAY: Most Republicans want restrictions. Democrats are split—liberals tend to be okay with inclusion; moderates/conservatives lean toward restrictions.
Who Else Feels Uncomfortable? (Demographics)
It’s not just politics. The surveys looked at gender, race, age, and LGBTQ identity.
| Group | % Uncomfortable (Not too / Not at all) |
|---|---|
| Total Adults | 73% |
| Men | 77% |
| Women | 69% |
| White Adults | 75% |
| Hispanic Adults | 67% |
| Black Adults | 68% |
| **Asian Adults*** | 68% |
| Ages 18–29 | 60% |
| Ages 30–49 | 70% |
| Ages 50–64 | 79% |
| Ages 65+ | 80% |
| LGBTQ Adults | 34% |
*Asian adults surveyed were English speakers only.
What This Tells Us:
- Older people are more uncomfortable than younger people.
- Men are more uncomfortable than women.
- White adults are more uncomfortable than Hispanic, Black, or Asian adults.
- LGBTQ adults are the only group where a majority (66%) are comfortable or somewhat comfortable.
The "Gender Belief" Connection: The Root of the Opinion
The survey asked a fundamental question: "Is gender determined by birth sex, or can it be different?"
Two Camps:
- Camp A (67% of adults): "Gender is determined by sex at birth."
- 89% of this group are uncomfortable with trans athletes on non-matching teams.
- Camp B (31% of adults): "Gender can be different from sex at birth."
- This group is mixed:
- 33% Extremely/Very Comfortable
- 29% Somewhat Comfortable
- 37% Uncomfortable
- This group is mixed:
WHY THIS MATTERS: Your view on what gender is strongly predicts your view on sports policy. But even among people who believe gender can differ, over a third are still uncomfortable with the sports situation.
The Paradox: Restrictions vs. Protections
Here’s a fascinating twist. The same Americans who want sports restrictions also want anti-discrimination protections.
- 66% favor laws requiring birth-sex teams.
- 56% favor laws protecting trans people from discrimination in jobs, housing, and public spaces.
- Only 16% oppose those protections.
THINK ABOUT IT: Many Americans separate "fairness in sports" from "fairness in life." They can support keeping women’s sports categories based on biology while also believing trans people shouldn’t be fired or evicted for who they are.
Summary: What We Learned
- Broad Discomfort: Nearly 3 in 4 Americans are uncomfortable with transgender athletes on teams not matching birth sex.
- Majority Support for Restrictions: 2 in 3 want laws/policies enforcing birth-sex teams.
- Growing Consensus: Support for these restrictions has increased among both parties since 2022.
- Deep Political Divide: Republicans are nearly unified (91%); Democrats are split down the middle (55/45).
- Demographics Matter: Age, gender, and race all correlate with comfort levels.
- LGBTQ Adults Differ: They are the only major group mostly comfortable with inclusion.
- Core Belief Drives View: Whether you think gender is fixed at birth or fluid is the strongest predictor.
- Nuance Exists: Most Americans simultaneously support sports restrictions AND anti-discrimination protections for trans people.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Does "uncomfortable" mean they hate transgender people?
No. "Uncomfortable" describes a feeling about a specific situation (sports participation). Notably, 56% of these same adults support laws protecting trans people from discrimination in jobs and housing. They distinguish between sports categories and civil rights.
2. Why is there such a big age gap?
Younger adults (18–29) grew up with more visibility of LGBTQ people and evolving language around gender. Only 60% are uncomfortable vs. 80% of seniors. This suggests views may continue shifting over time.
3. What does "sex at birth" mean exactly?
It refers to the label ("male" or "female") a doctor assigns a baby based on physical anatomy (chromosomes, hormones, genitals) at birth. "Gender identity" is a person’s internal sense of being a man, woman, or something else.
4. Did the Supreme Court ban trans athletes nationwide?
No. The June 2026 ruling said states are allowed to make their own laws restricting participation. It didn’t create a federal ban. Some states have bans; others have inclusive policies.
5. Why do liberal Democrats and LGBTQ adults stand out?
These groups are more likely to believe gender can differ from birth sex (Camp B). If you believe a trans woman is a woman, putting her on a women’s team feels fair, not uncomfortable. Their views align with major medical associations (like the AMA and APA) that recognize gender identity.
Source: Pew Research Center surveys conducted Feb. 10–17, 2025 (n=5,097) and Nov. 17–30, 2025 (n=10,357). Full methodology and questionnaires available at pewresearch.org.