Despite recent federal directives, the School District of Philadelphia has decided to continue allowing male athletes to participate in girls’ sports. This move stands in direct contrast to a new executive order from President Trump aimed at redefining the participation criteria for athletic competitions.
In a statement released earlier this week, district officials expressed their commitment to Board Policy 252, established in 2016, which permits transgender and gender-nonconforming students to engage in sports consistent with their gender identity. A spokesperson emphasized the district’s dedication to safety and justice for all students, stating, “The School District of Philadelphia strives to ensure safety, equity and justice for all students regardless of gender identity or gender expression.”
Meanwhile, the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association recently updated its policies to comply with the new executive order, which was published on February 5, 2025. This new policy replaces the term “gender” with “sex” when determining eligibility for participation in sports, and it emphasizes that schools must seek legal advice to ensure compliance with the federal directive.
Trump’s order characterizes the practice of allowing male athletes to compete in women’s sports as harmful and unfair, asserting that it undermines the rights of female athletes. The executive order stipulates that educational institutions risk losing federal funding if they do not provide equal opportunities for women and girls in sports.
As debates rage on, the U.S. Department of Education is investigating various institutions across the nation, including a Maine school district, for non-compliance with these directives. The scrutiny increased after reports surfaced of male students competing in girls’ events, which led to considerable public attention.
Officials in Maine, for example, faced backlash after a male athlete won the state’s girls’ pole-vaulting championship, sparking a national outcry regarding fairness in schools’ athletic programs. The acting assistant secretary for civil rights commented on the situation, stressing that any district that wants to receive federal funds must comply with Title IX to protect women’s opportunities in sports.
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