Why does ACLU keep lying about trans athletes in girls' sports?

I wrote this email to three ACLU staff I admire:  

You are among those people in ACLU whom I greatly admire.  Therefore, I’d like to offer this constructive feedback.  There is no need for you to respond to me.

I understand why ACLU chooses to support transgender athletes.  Disagreeing with ACLU on that issue does not undermine my interest in donating to ACLU. 

But ACLU’s lies about the issue do cause me to consider discontinuing donations to ACLU.

In the message below, ACLU wrote: “the Court has allowed transphobic politicians to ban trans girls from participating in school sports”.  Other sources accurately reported that the Court banned trans girls from participating in girls’ sports.  They can still participate in boys’ sports.  Similarly, the ACLU wrote: “"Trans children shouldn't be denied the benefits of teamwork and dedication because of who they are."  The ACLU is free to explain why it feels the alternative of competing in sports based on birth gender is inadequate, but lying is unacceptable. 

It is also wrong to suggest that people who disagree with the ACLU on this issue are “transphobic”.  I think “transphobic” was used to trigger an emotional reaction painting people who disagree with this ACLU position as reprehensible.  It is sad that ACLU actively tries to divide us.  While not technically “hate language”, the wording of your message clearly induces hatred, which apparently is acceptable to ACLU if it will help raise funds.

You might say the message technically labels only the politicians as transphobic.  But clearly it is wrong to paint all politicians who support banning trans girls from girls’ sports as transphobic.  I think if someone wants to change their gender, they should be allowed to do so, with appropriate safeguards.  But if politicians who oppose trans girls in girls’ sports are “transphobic” in your eyes, then I must be “transphobic” in your eyes also.

ACLU says “We should be removing barriers for girls and women in sports … not creating new ones.”  That is at best misleading.  Most people in the country believe that the court DID remove a barrier.  If ACLU feels that people born male don’t have advantages in sports, why doesn’t it argue that no sports should be segregated by gender?

In the past, ACLU insisted that everyone benefits from allowing trans girls to participate in girls’ sports, which is patently false.  Girls who lose championships to trans girls are harmed.  Girls who lose scholarships as a result are harmed.  Girls who are injured by trans girls or who injure themselves by over-training in an attempt to compete with trans girls are harmed.  I understand that you might feel such results are acceptable because of the benefits you see in allowing trans girls to compete in girls’ sports.  You should acknowledge the point honestly and discuss the offsets.  If you prefer, you could ignore this point, but ACLU should publicly retract such lies.  I haven’t seen that statement recently, but I don’t know if ACLU has decided to retire it permanently.

ACLU writes “transgender girls – who've asked for nothing more than the same opportunities afforded to their peers.”  Of course, the fundamental disagreement is “who are their peers when it comes to sports”.  ACLU is so disrespectful regarding the attitudes of other people, disingenuously stating as a fact what is simply ACLU’s opinion.

When I see such communication, I’m ashamed to have supported ACLU.  Again, not because of ACLU’s position supporting allowing trans girls to play in girls’ sports, but because of ACLU’s lies, misrepresentations, divisive tactics, and disrespect for opposing viewpoints.

From: ACLU <aclu@aclu.org>

Sent: Wednesday, July 1, 2026 8:34 AM
To: claude.thau@gmail.com
Subject: The Supreme Court ruled against trans kids

 

Trans children shouldn't be denied the benefits of teamwork and dedication because of who they are.

 ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

Claude, the Supreme Court issued a heartbreaking ruling yesterday against transgender girls – who've asked for nothing more than the same opportunities afforded to their peers. By ruling against our clients, the Court has allowed transphobic politicians to ban trans girls from participating in school sports, keeping these kids from playing with their friends simply because of who they are. We should be removing barriers for girls and women in sports – like unequal pay and harassment – not creating new ones. The handful of children targeted by this ruling deserve to be treated with the same respect and dignity as anyone else. However, the fight is not over. Notably, the Court did not grant what we know the politicians driving this issue wanted from the start – a broad precedent restricting the freedom of all transgender people in our schools, workplaces, and communities. They chose not to broaden the harm of this ruling to other rights and contexts. We're already preparing for what's next. We've been fighting a wave of anti-trans legislation for years – and the politicians who wanted even more from the Court will certainly introduce more sweeping attacks on our rights. In the meantime, we're calling on Congress to pass the No Place for LGBTQ+ Hate Act – a critical piece of legislation that would block the president from using federal funds to carry out discriminatory, unconstitutional anti-trans executive orders. Are you ready to keep up the fight with us? Urge Congress to pass legislation that would block President Trump from using taxpayer money to restrict trans people's freedom to be who they are and thrive. Take Action   We cannot and will not go backward. Thank you for staying with us in the fight for our freedom. The ACLU Team P.S. RSVP to join us Tuesday, July 7, 5 – 6 p.m., at the ACLU Town Hall: Inside the Supreme Court Term where we'll discuss this case and other major civil liberties rulings of this term. The event will stream live on YouTube.