The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) joined the American Psychological Association (APA) and the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) in filing an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in Hecox v. Little and West Virginia v. B.P.J. The brief opposes laws that prevent transgender girls and women from participating on sports teams consistent with their gender identity.
The brief highlights that exclusionary sports policies harm transgender youth by restricting social transition, reinforcing stigma, and increasing minority stress caused by discrimination. Studies show that supportive environments lead to better mental health outcomes for transgender youth, while exclusion contributes to depression, suicidality, and isolation. These laws also deny transgender individuals the proven benefits of sports participation, such as confidence, teamwork, leadership, and belonging. Importantly, states with inclusive policies have not experienced declines in women’s sports participation.
For NASW, this issue reflects our mission to advance social justice, protect human dignity, and ensure equitable access to care. Discrimination based on gender identity or expression contradicts the NASW Code of Ethics and our policies in Social Work Speaks. Supporting the right of transgender persons to participate in sports consistent with their gender identity affirms the profession’s core values of inclusion, empowerment, and self-determination.
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