LAS VEGAS, NEV (April 4, 2025) — Silver State Equality released the following statement from State Director André C. Wade in response to the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association Policy Change to Exclude Transgender Athletes:
“We are deeply disappointed that the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association (NIAA) changed its decade-long inclusive transgender student-athlete policy to one that is exclusionary. That they did this based on the desire of the Lieutenant Governor, members of his Task Force, and Presidential executive orders that are not law, despite their claims, is all the more disheartening. This policy is not only harmful and exclusionary—it is unconstitutional. Nevada’s Equal Rights Amendment, passed overwhelmingly by voters in 2022, explicitly protects individuals from discrimination based on gender identity and gender expression. This change directly contradicts those constitutional protections. All parents should be deeply concerned about the NIAA’s new policy. The policy imposes discriminatory scrutiny on female athletes, subjecting them to invasive physical exams by a physician—standards not applied to their male counterparts. This not only reinforces harmful gender stereotypes but raises serious concerns about privacy, equity, and bodily autonomy. It also requires an “unaltered original birth certificate” to determine a student athlete’s gender. This places an unfair burden on Nevada’s immigrant families and those without easy access to original documents. Studies show that participation in sports provides kids with invaluable life skills such as teamwork, leadership, discipline, and cooperation—fundamental lessons that every young person deserves the chance to experience. Beyond the field, sports also contribute significantly to students’ overall well-being, fostering better mental health, boosting academic performance, and enhancing self-esteem and confidence. Transgender kids deserve the opportunity to play sports alongside their teammates – just like everyone else. Right now, transgender youth, their families, their doctors, and their teachers are facing unprecedented attacks from extremist politicians who want to eviscerate their civil rights and erase them from public life. Silver State Equality is not backing down—we will continue to fight unapologetically for transgender Nevadans—who make up less than 1% of our state’s population—for the fewer than 10 nationally known NCAA transgender athletes, and for every transgender tourist and professional who comes to Nevada expecting to be treated with the equality and dignity they deserve. No one should have to question their safety or humanity simply for being who they are. Not here. Not anywhere.”
“We are deeply disappointed that the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association (NIAA) changed its decade-long inclusive transgender student-athlete policy to one that is exclusionary. That they did this based on the desire of the Lieutenant Governor, members of his Task Force, and Presidential executive orders that are not law, despite their claims, is all the more disheartening. This policy is not only harmful and exclusionary—it is unconstitutional. Nevada’s Equal Rights Amendment, passed overwhelmingly by voters in 2022, explicitly protects individuals from discrimination based on gender identity and gender expression. This change directly contradicts those constitutional protections.
All parents should be deeply concerned about the NIAA’s new policy. The policy imposes discriminatory scrutiny on female athletes, subjecting them to invasive physical exams by a physician—standards not applied to their male counterparts. This not only reinforces harmful gender stereotypes but raises serious concerns about privacy, equity, and bodily autonomy. It also requires an “unaltered original birth certificate” to determine a student athlete’s gender. This places an unfair burden on Nevada’s immigrant families and those without easy access to original documents.
Studies show that participation in sports provides kids with invaluable life skills such as teamwork, leadership, discipline, and cooperation—fundamental lessons that every young person deserves the chance to experience. Beyond the field, sports also contribute significantly to students’ overall well-being, fostering better mental health, boosting academic performance, and enhancing self-esteem and confidence. Transgender kids deserve the opportunity to play sports alongside their teammates – just like everyone else.
Right now, transgender youth, their families, their doctors, and their teachers are facing unprecedented attacks from extremist politicians who want to eviscerate their civil rights and erase them from public life. Silver State Equality is not backing down—we will continue to fight unapologetically for transgender Nevadans—who make up less than 1% of our state’s population—for the fewer than 10 nationally known NCAA transgender athletes, and for every transgender tourist and professional who comes to Nevada expecting to be treated with the equality and dignity they deserve. No one should have to question their safety or humanity simply for being who they are. Not here. Not anywhere.”
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As Nevada’s statewide LGBTQ civil rights organization, Silver State Equality brings the voices of LGBTQ people and allies to institutions of power in Nevada and throughout the U.S. Silver State Equality strives to create a world that is healthy, just and fully equal for all LGBTQ people. Silver State Equality is a Nevada-based program affiliated with and supported by Equality California and Equality California Institute, the nation’s largest statewide LGBTQ civil rights organization. More information at SilverStateEquality.org.
