Dear John,

I’m going to be honest with you: yesterday was tough.

I testified in front of Congress in support of trans athletes and the Biden administration's proposed Title IX rule which, among other things, would allow trans, nonbinary, and intersex students to play on the school sport’s team consistent with their gender identity.

Both at the hearing and online afterward, I faced a level of backlash that is truly unprecedented in my career. Now, I’m not going to repeat the many sexist, transphobic comments or the level of false information hurled at me. Instead, I’m going to reiterate the entire point of this hearing: The Unfulfilled Promise of Title IX.

Now, if you want to skip my history lesson or are already fired up about these extremist attacks, consider making a donation right now to help us counter this rhetoric, ensure all students can learn without fear or discrimination, and help us fight for a more just and equitable world, especially for women, girls, and LGBTQIA+ people.

Okay, back to history: NWLC was founded in 1972, the same year as Title IX—the civil rights law that promises to eradicate all forms of sex discrimination in school.

Every day for the past five decades, NWLC has been leading the fight to fulfill that promise. We’ve participated in ALL major Title IX cases before the Supreme Court. And let me tell you, from our deep expertise and experience, I can name one thing for certain: We have seen this level of backlash before.

Since the late 19th century, so-called doctors claimed athletic activity could cause “hysteria, infertility, and cancer” in women. In 1967, Boston Marathon Director Jock Semple even tried to drag woman runner Katherine Switzer off the track. Like other areas of education, the intervention of Title IX opened doors for women and girls in sports in ways that can only be described as giant. And still today, there are over a million fewer opportunities for high school girls than boys, and schools consistently under-resource women and girls’ sports.

Anytime there is progress, we must confront waves of pushback. Really, it’s a sign that we’re doing something right.

My testimony yesterday focused on the real gender inequities that exist in sports (harassment and sexual misconduct, resource disparities, and inequity in pay and promotion, to name only a few). Instead of addressing these actual issues, extremists have responded by distracting and creating a problem where none exists. Today, the far right has focused their fear-mongering on trans, nonbinary, and intersex students. We KNOW that discrimination against students because of transgender status or sex characteristics IS sex discrimination. And that these students MUST be able to fully access education as their full selves; Title IX guarantees no less. We also know that discriminating against women and girls who are transgender hurts all women and girls.

Although yesterday was difficult, I am clear on our role in this moment—we will always show up against discrimination as an ally, yes, and with a clear understanding that discrimination against trans people only furthers discrimination against all women and girls.

It is my hope that you will show up with us. With your continued support, I know that we can ensure Title IX’s promise is fulfilled and achieve a more just and equitable world.