Iowa State University’s recent lecture, Trans Athletes and the Future of Sports, sparked an important and timely conversation about the realities facing transgender athletes in today’s sporting world—examining the challenges, misconceptions, and affirming benefits of inclusion.
Moderated by Dr. Kelly Winfrey, the panel featured a range of voices, including Lia Thomas, former NCAA Division I swimmer and transgender rights advocate; Dr. Christina Roberts, pediatrician and adolescent health specialist at Mount Sinai; and Keenan Crow, director of policy and advocacy at One Iowa.
Lia Thomas opened the discussion by recounting her personal story of transitioning while competing at a high level. She emphasized how participating in sports as her authentic self was transformative.
“Being involved in sports is incredibly impactful—it can shape a person’s life, especially during childhood,” she said, reflecting on the role sports played in forming her identity and sense of self.
She recalled the fear she felt as a young child facing her first Olympic-sized pool and how the support from her coaches helped her overcome self-doubt.
“I thought I was going to drown,” Thomas said. “But my coaches believed in me. That belief showed me that I could face even the most intimidating challenges.”
Keenan Crow addressed the broader implications of Iowa’s legislation banning transgender women from participating in sports—not just in competition, but entirely.
“This law doesn’t just bar competition—it bans participation outright,” Crow explained. They stressed that for most young athletes, the primary value of sports lies not in winning, but in developing life skills like teamwork, leadership, and community.
“Being on a team matters—especially for kids looking for a place where they’re accepted,” Crow said. “Sports can be a vital outlet for connection and growth.”
Dr. Roberts brought a medical perspective, explaining how transitioning affects athletic performance. She noted that while puberty can create physical advantages for those assigned male at birth, hormone therapy significantly reduces these differences.
“Within two years on hormone therapy, strength levels in trans women typically align with those of cisgender women,” she said. Roberts also dismissed the notion that individuals transition solely for athletic advantage, emphasizing that transitioning is a deeply personal and medically regulated process.
“Transitioning isn’t impulsive or opportunistic—it’s thoughtful, intentional, and involves substantial medical oversight,” she added.
Thomas also spoke to the mental health consequences of laws that exclude transgender youth from sports, pointing out that such policies send a clear and harmful message of exclusion.
“These laws tell trans kids, ‘You don’t belong,’” she said.
Roberts supported this with data, noting, “Every space where trans individuals can be themselves decreases the likelihood of suicidal thoughts by up to 25%.”
When asked about efforts to modify the ban to apply only to competition, Crow revealed that legislators refused.
“They were clear—they weren’t open to compromise,” Crow said, pointing to the entrenched resistance to change.
The panel concluded by emphasizing that sports are about much more than competition—they’re about community, identity, and growth.
“It’s not just about the elite athlete,” Roberts said. “It’s about the 13-year-old girl who wants to play softball with her friends and experience the joy and lessons that come with being on a team.”
Thomas closed by highlighting the sense of peace and belonging she found through athletics.
“For me, the water was a sanctuary. Being part of a team gave me identity and calm—it gave me a space where I truly felt at home,” she said.
Ultimately, the discussion made it clear: conversations about transgender athletes go beyond the field or pool. They’re about inclusion, mental well-being, and the fundamental human need to feel welcome in spaces that nurture growth and self-worth.
