We want to acknowledge the deep hurt, fear, and frustration many in our community are feeling following the Supreme Court’s recent decision allowing state-level bans on transgender students participating in school sports to remain in place.
For transgender youth, their families, and all who care about equity and dignity, this decision is more than a legal ruling; it is feels like a personal attack. It risks reinforcing exclusion at a time when young people need belonging, safety, and affirmation the most.
At Lancaster County Chooses Love, we know that schools, community programs, and local organizations play an important role in shaping whether young people feel valued and supported. While Pennsylvania does not have a statewide ban like those upheld in this ruling, this decision nonetheless directly impacts our neighbors, our students, and our sense of safety. Decisions like this contribute to a broader climate of uncertainty and can embolden efforts that seek to limit participation and visibility for transgender people, even at the local level.
Transgender youth play sports for the same reasons any young person does: to build friendships, learn teamwork, grow in confidence, and experience the joy of being part of a team. Denying access to these opportunities does real harm. It can deepen isolation, increase vulnerability to bullying, and send the damaging signal that some young people are less worthy of participation than others. In communities like Lancaster County, where many young people already navigate stigma or lack of access to affirming spaces, these harms can be even more painful.
We are also concerned about the broader implications of these policies. Many of these bans rely on invasive or subjective measures that put all girls at risk; opening the door to inappropriate questioning, privacy violations, and increased scrutiny of young people’s bodies. These policies do not protect fairness in sports; they create new harms and inequities that affect students in every state, including Pennsylvania.
At the same time, we want to be clear. This decision does not define the future of our community. The Court’s ruling is limited in scope, and critical legal questions about protections for transgender people remain unresolved. Across Pennsylvania and here in Lancaster County, there are educators, advocates, healthcare providers, and community members working every day to ensure that LGBTQ+ people are respected, protected, and able to thrive. That work is not stopping.
To our transgender community members, we see you, we value you, and you belong.
Your right to show up fully as athletes, as students, as friends, and as yourself matters deeply.
As an organization, we remain committed to:
- Advocating for policies and practices that affirm and protect transgender and nonbinary people across Pennsylvania
- Partnering with local schools, organizations, and leaders in Lancaster County to foster safe, inclusive environments
- Creating and sustaining spaces where all youth feel welcome, supported, and able to participate fully in community life
- Standing alongside our community in moments of uncertainty and in the ongoing work toward equity and justice
In this moment, we also hold onto hope. We see it in the resilience of transgender youth, in the strength of families and allies here in our region, and in the growing movement both locally and nationally that is working toward a future where every young person has the opportunity to thrive without fear of exclusion.
We will continue to show up with care, with courage, and with an unwavering commitment to our community.
Support & Mental Health Resources
We recognize that moments like this can take a real emotional toll. If you or someone you know is struggling, you are not alone, and support is available:
Call: 1-866-488-7386
Text: Text START to 678678
Chat: thetrevorproject.org
Trans Lifeline (peer support by and for trans people)
Call: 877-565-8860
