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Majority of Americans believe gender determined at birth, against biological males in women’s sports: poll

A new poll found that the majority of American adults believe gender is determined at birth and are against biological males competing in women’s sports.

On Friday, a new Washington Post-KFF poll dropped with insights into Americans’ views on transgenderism in the nation, our schools and women’s sports.

The poll found that 57% of American adults believe gender is based on the sex “assigned” at birth, while 43% say a person could change their gender later in life.

Fifty-three percent of 18- to 34-year-olds believe that gender is based on birth sex, while 47% believe one can change their gender later in life.

Sixty-three percent of adults 55 to 64 years of age believe that gender is based on the sex “assigned” at birth.

The poll found that the vast majority of Americans support laws against discriminating against transgendered people in areas such as in the military and housing, but a supermajority of Americans don’t want biological males in women’s sports.

Sixty-six percent of American adults do not believe that biological males should be allowed to compete in women’s sports competitions at the high school level, while 34% support biological males competing against women.

Supporters of anti-trans activist Chris Elston demonstrate against gender affirmation treatments and surgeries on minors, outside of Boston Childrens Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, on September 18, 2022
A new poll found that the majority of American adults believe gender is determined at birth and are against biological males competing in women’s sports. AFP via Getty Images

When it comes to college and professional sports, 65% of American adults don’t believe that biological males should be allowed to compete in women’s sports, while 34% in both categories were behind the idea.

In youth sports, 62% of American adults did not believe biological males should be allowed to compete against biological girls, while 37% were behind allowing transgender girls to compete with biological girls.

The poll also found that 62% of American adults supported so-called “gender-affirming counseling or therapy” for kids ages 10 to 14, but 68% were against giving the age group puberty blockers.

Lia Thomas, Riley Gaines
When it comes to professional sports, 65% of American adults believe that biological males shouldn’t be allowed to compete in women’s sports, while 34% were behind the idea. USA TODAY Sports

For transgender teens age 15 to 17, 66% of American adults supported “gender-affirming counseling or therapy” but the majority, 58%, were still opposed to prescribing puberty blocker medications.

Additionally, 77% of American adults believe it is inappropriate for teachers to discuss their transgender identities with students in kindergarten to third grade.

Seventy percent believed the same for students in 4th and 5th grade, with the number dropping to 52% for middle school students in grades 6 to 8.

Thirty-six percent of American adults believe it is inappropriate for teachers to discuss their transgender identities with students in high school, while 64% believe it is appropriate classroom discussion.