rights
Megan Rapinoe warns trans sports bans harm all girls: "That's a feature, not a bug, of these laws"
By Molly Sprayregen at LGBTQ Nation
· July 14, 2026
· 4 min read
Out soccer star Megan Rapinoe slammed the movement to ban transgender girls from sports as a "witch hunt" and "manufactured issue" over which "women and girls will suffer the most." In an op-ed for Marie Claire, the longtime trans rights advocate shared that a brand fired her from participating in a
Key takeaway "Measure I-638 would require all girls—but not boys—to be medically sex certified before they can play sports," she explained.
Why this matters
Megan Rapinoe's critique of trans sports bans highlights the broader implications of these laws on all female athletes, regardless of their gender identity. By requiring invasive medical examinations for girls to participate in sports, measures like Washington's Measure I-638 can have a chilling effect on cisgender girls' participation as well. The economic burden of mandatory testing and the trauma of genital inspections can deter families from allowing their daughters to play sports, ultimately undermining the empowerment and development opportunities that sports provide. This consequence is particularly concerning given the existing disparities in access to sports and physical education for girls and women in the US. As Rapinoe notes, the true intention of these laws may be to restrict girls' and women's access to spaces that promote empowerment, rather than to protect them. The national LGBTQ+ community should be vigilant about the potential long-term effects of these laws on the health, well-being, and opportunities of all girls and women.
About this story
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Category: rights ·
Published: July 14, 2026 ·
Source: LGBTQ Nation ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Out soccer star Megan Rapinoe slammed the movement to ban transgender girls from sports as a "witch hunt" and "manufactured issue" over which "women and girls will suffer the most." In an op-ed for Marie Claire, the longtime trans rights advocate shared that a brand fired her from participating in a
When was this published? This article was first published on July 14, 2026 by LGBTQ Nation and curated for LGBTQ News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Molly Sprayregen at LGBTQ Nation. To learn more about how LGBTQ News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more rights coverage from LGBTQ News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .