Talarico, other Democrats say they oppose trans athletes in girls’ sports: list

As Democrats seek to gain control of the U.S. Senate and make gains in gubernatorial races in states that favored President Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election, several Democratic candidates running for office have shifted their positions on some issues, including insisting they now oppose allowing trans-identified male athletes to compete in girls' sports.

With the midterm elections less than two months away, Republicans sought to portray Democrats as out of touch with voters on this issue at the Republican National Midterm Convention in Dallas.

During his remarks at the event, Trump warned that the U.S. would “have men playing in women’s sports” if Democrats win the midterms. Currently, 29 states have implemented either laws or regulations prohibiting male athletes from competing on women’s sports teams amid concerns about the fairness and safety of female athletes. The U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling earlier this year holding that such policies are not unconstitutional. 

While Democrats have generally supported allowing trans-identified athletes to compete on sports teams that correspond to their stated gender identity rather than their biological sex, Democratic candidates running for statewide office in purple and red states have told local and national media that they do not support allowing trans-identified male athletes to compete in women’s sports, despite previously supporting such participation.

The following pages list four examples of Democrats who are now claiming they oppose allowing trans-identified men to compete in women's sports.