Melania Trump reveals emphatic stance on trans athletes in sports and sends message to LGBT+ community

Melania, who has long been a big supporter of the LGBT+ community, acknowledges the argument for transgender athletes to compete against women.

But she also feels there's a possibility they'll have 'physical advantages' over biological women and that it could impact 'fairness' in sports.

“Today, some groups attempt to impose their ideologies on everyone, deepening the divisions in our society," she writes.

"One example is the ongoing debate over trans inclusion in sports, specifically when male-born athletes who identify as female compete against women.

“Male bodies generally have physical advantages – muscle strength, height, bone density, and lung capacity – that can affect fairness in competition, even at the high school level.”

Melania continues: “Some argue that the number of trans-athletes is low, but even one can upset the balance in a female league or tournament due to these physical advantages.

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“High school athletes often dedicate years to training with the hope of being recruited by universities.

"Seeing that dream collapse is an unnecessary and avoidable consequence.

“This issue also has broader implications, including the loss of future earning potential as professional athletes and a potential setback for equal pay in sports.”

Melania then makes it clear that she's fully supportive of LGBT+ rights.

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“As many of you may know, I fully support the LGBTQIA+ community," she adds.

"But we must also ensure that our female athletes are protected and respected."

Trans athletes in sports has been a big topic over the past few years.

Swimmer Lia Thomas sparked controversy in America by racing against women, despite being born male.

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Thomas had been hoping to compete against women as the Paris Olympics earlier this summer.

However, the swimmer ended up losing her legal case against World Aquatics at the court of arbitration for sport after being prevented from competing.

The sport's governing body decided in 2022 that anyone who has undergone 'any part of male puberty' won't be allowed to compete on the biggest stage of all.

Thomas argued those rules should be declared 'invalid and unlawful'.

However, the court concluded that Thomas was 'simply not entitled to engage with eligibility to compete in WA competitions'.

World Aquatics, reacting to the verdict, added: “World Aquatics is dedicated to fostering an environment that promotes fairness, respect, and equal opportunities for athletes of all genders and we reaffirm this pledge."