DEPARTMENT OF ATHLETICS POLICY ON TRANSGENDER
The Roger Williams University Athletic Department prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual identity or expression and provides equal-opportunity for transgender student-athletes to participate in varsity athletics. “Transgender” is a term used to describe an individual whose gender identity does not match their birth-assigned sex. A female-to-male (FTM) transgender is someone born with a female body, who identifies as male. A male-to-female (MTF) transgender is someone born with a male body, who identifies as female.
Participation by Transgender Student-Athletes – NOT undergoing hormone treatment:
- Any transgender student-athlete not undergoing hormone treatment may participate on the team that aligns with his or her assigned birth gender.
- A FTM student-athlete who is not taking testosterone related to gender transition may participate on a men’s or women’s team.
- A MTF student-athlete who is not taking hormone treatments related to gender transition may not compete on a women’s team.
Participation by Transgender Student-Athlete – Undergoing hormone treatment:
- A FTM student-athlete who is taking medically-prescribed testosterone related to gender transition may not participate on a women’s team after beginning hormone treatment.
- A FTM student-athlete who is taking medically-prescribed testosterone related to gender transition may request a medical exception (since testosterone is a banned substance) from the NCAA and, if the waiver is granted, subsequently participate on a men’s team.
- A MTF student-athlete may continue to participate on a men’s team if taking medically prescribed hormone treatment related to gender transition.
- A MTF student-athlete being treated with testosterone suppression medication for gender identity disorder, gender dysphoria and/or transsexualism, for the purposes of NCAA competition, may continue to compete on a men’s team but may not compete on a women’s team without changing it to a mixed team status until completing one calendar year of testosterone suppression treatment.
It is the student’s responsibility to notify the Director of Athletics in writing if the student-athlete has completed, plans to initiate, or is in the process of taking hormones as part of the gender transition. The letter should include information from the student’s physician documenting the intention to transition or the transition status if the process has started.
Facilities Access
Every student-athlete has access to locker room, bathroom and shower facilities in a safe, comfortable and convenient environment. Transgender student-athletes may use the locker room, bathrooms and showers in accordance with their gender identity. If requested by the transgender student-athlete, a separate private changing, showering and toilet facility is available with locker accommodations.
If a transgender student-athlete chooses to use a separate locker room space–designated as gender-neutral–coaches and team members are strongly encouraged not to use the common locker room as a team meeting space or the only location that important team information is shared. Coaches and team members are strongly encouraged to identify other spaces to conduct team meetings.
When traveling, the University athletics staff will work to identify safe spaces for transgender student-athletes to have their needs met with regard to changing spaces and restroom accommodations without compromising the student’s privacy and confidentiality.
