Play it Out Campaigns to Correct Misinformation About Transgender Kids in Sports

GenderCool, a US youth-led movement has launched a new 'Play it Out' campaign to correct misinformation about transgender kids in sports.

At a time when the country is seeing a shocking level of illegal bills attempting to ban transgender kids from playing sports for 'fictitious reasons', Play it Out aims to highlight the real stories of transgender and non-binary kids who are thriving on and off the fields. The GenderCool project is helping to replace misinformed opinions with positive ones to help people understand fact from fiction about transgender kids and their connection to sports. The national education campaign organisers want communities to consider a simple truth – that like most kids, transgender kids look to sports/athletics as a way to hang out with their friends and learn from being part of a team.

Roughly eight million kids participate in high school sports each year in the US, according to the National Federation of State High School Associations. Approximately 35,000 of these young people are transgender, however, they represent less than one half of one percent of all high school students participating in sports, mainly because of discrimination and bullying.

GenderCool’s Co-Founder Gearah Goldstein said that a small group of misguided people have created this 'fictitious narrative'. "All people need to do is actually meet these young people to understand that what they are hearing and seeing in some states is bullying, plain and simple," said Goldstein. "It's even worse when the bully is an adult."

As part of the Play it Out campaign, coaches, teachers, parents and young people are coming forward with common-sense perspectives to help communities understand the truth about transgender kids; and ultimately encourage them to participate in sports without fear of discrimination or bullying. "Folks in communities everywhere deserve the truth, and we're going to play this out for them," explained GenderCool Co-founder Jen Grosshandler, who is a life-long athlete and parent of four children, which includes a 15-year-old daughter, Chazzie, who is transgender. "My own connection to athletics gave me the confidence to achieve more in my life than I ever dreamed possible. I want that for my daughter. Don't we want all kids to have these formative life experiences?"

"Kids are kids," added Jon Mall, a teacher from Chicago who's been coaching K-12 athletics for the past 20 years. "They're out there to be part of a team, and you want to create an environment where their focus is on that sport and growing as an individual and as a team member. Where in that statement do you hear me talking about gender identity? Where?"

You can find out more about the campaign and watch the newly-released Play it Out documentary here.