FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 9, 2020

“This is pure bigotry. There is no justification for reversing the current inclusive policy, which has been in place for nearly two decades.”

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – The National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) condemns today’s guidelines released by World Rugby, which create a complete ban on competition by transgender women in the global league. This ruling makes World Rugby the only international sports governing body to issue a sweeping categorical ban against participation by transgender athletes.

A statement from NCLR Executive Director Imani Rupert-Gordon:

“It is devastating to see World Rugby adopt such a cruel and blatantly discriminatory policy. This is pure bigotry. There is no justification for reversing the current inclusive policy, which has been in place for nearly two decades. 

Shockingly, World Rugby adopted this ban without considering input from member nations, as they had promised to do, and despite opposition by women’s rugby players across the globe. This ban perpetuates the same false stereotypes that have long been used to demean all women athletes and that have been particularly harmful to women of color.  As a legal organization, NCLR pledges to do all we can to challenge this egregious violation of human rights.”  

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The National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) is a national legal organization committed to advancing the human and civil rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community through litigation, public policy advocacy, and public education. Since its founding, NCLR has maintained a longstanding commitment to racial and economic justice and the LGBTQ community’s most vulnerable. https://www.nclrights.org