Overview

• In a July 28 NPR interview, Buttigieg called for compassion for transgender people, families and those grappling with the issue as the foundation for policymaking
• He acknowledged that allowing transgender women to compete in female sports raises serious fairness issues and affirmed that concerned parents “have a case”
• Buttigieg rejected sweeping federal bans enacted under President Trump, insisting decisions belong with local school boards and sports leagues rather than Washington politicians
• He stressed the need for nuanced guidelines tailored to different sports and competition levels, noting that chess, weightlifting and middle school athletics each pose unique considerations
• His stance arrives as Democratic Party divisions grow over transgender rights and as the Supreme Court prepares to weigh two cases on state transgender athlete bans