
In the past five years the number of children whom report being transgender to the National Health Service has quadrupled (Donnelly). The number of transgender youths in high schools has drastically changed in recent years, however the rules have not yet advanced. Currently there are very few high schools that have rules to help transgender student feel more comfortable in their schools. In high school l witnessed first hand how transgender students often are discriminated against. I attended school with a transgender boy a grade below me; Shortly after coming out as transgender the student decided he wanted to participate on the football team, which made no cuts. After playing in about 4 preseason practices the student was called into the coach's office and was cut from the team. This transgender student was the only person this particular coach had ever cut. The coach later claimed that he was worried about the student's safety and morally could not allow him play. Today only 13 states have policies which grant transgender students the right to compete on the athletic team of their choice. By isolating transgender student the risk of depression and other mental health issues becomes even more of a risk. The current treatment of transgender students in high schools across the country may lead to life threatening mental health issues. Transgender youth should be allowed to participate on the middle and high school athletic team of their choice because it reduces mental illness, gives a healthy emotional outlet, and a helps develop a self worth comparable to their peers. 

Many people are skeptical that children that are high school age are able to identify themselves as transgender. However extensive research has been done to support that even from a young age a child is able to identify themselves as transgender. Kristina Olson, a professor at the University of Washington, began an experiment which examined children who came out as transgender as young as 3 (Gruener). Transgenderism is prevalent in youths around world. At schools many face harassment from other students, in a survey conducted of about 300 transgender students "89 percent reported being harassed in school" (CBS). According to the New York Civil Liberties Union, "more than 50 percent of transgender youth avoid school "on a regular basis" and 'drop-out rates are staggering'" (Bekiempis). Transgender student face discrimination not only from students but also from teachers. Many teachers "refuse to call transgender or gender nonconforming students by their chosen name, instead using their birth name. Or require they repeatedly explain their transition" (Bekiempis). The intolerance of not only their peer, but also their authority figures would cause a transgender student's self confidence to be drastically lower than their non-transgender peers. 

Extensive research has shown the difference between transgender and non-transgender youths when looking at probability of facing mental health issues. Boston researcher recently released a study which showed "transgender youth faced a high risk of being diagnosed with a mental health illness or related problem, compared to non-transgender teens" (Zimmerman). The study shows higher risks of depression, anxiety, attempting suicide and engaging in self harm for transgender teens. This can be linked to a lack of participation in sports and other activities. Major social development occurs during the years between six and fourteen. The atmosphere, in home and at school, will shape a person's personality. According to psychologist Erik Erikson, between the ages of seven and fourteen a child should "gain a sense of industry" meaning they learn to work with their peers and adults (Eccles). It is very important that a child gains self worth at this age, "feelings of competence and personal esteem are of central importance for a child's well being" (Eccles). Transgender students often do not get the feeling of competence and never learn their self worth because the treatment they face in and outside of school. Facing discrimination from fellow students, teachers and coaches. Erikson also believed it was very important for a child to get involved in activities and sports because it decreases chances of depression and social isolation. Erikson stresses the need to be involved in activities by claiming, "Successful experiences in a wide range of settings can help to give a child a healthy, positive view of his or her competence, and a positive attitude toward learning and engagement in life's activities and challenges" (Eccles). If transgender students at middle school age are prohibited from participating on teams of their choice they may face developmental issues in the future. Middle childhood is a very important time in development. In effect of most transgender students facing discrimination in the classroom and being forbidden from participating on the team which they feel most comfortable on, they are at a higher risk of developing mental health issues.   

Mac, a transgender boy from Washington state is living proof on how sports can drastically decrease depression and help build up self confidence. Mac came out to his family and school at the age of 13. Soon after Mac developed depression, he was getting bullied by school mates and facing discrimination from basically everyone including his own sister. When basketball season came Mac decided to try out for the school's team. The school completely supported Mac's decision to try out and he ended up making the team. Now, a year later, Mac's depression has dramatically decreased. His father says "'You have to have an outlet. Mac's outlet has been sports... to let oneself go and let it out. Because on playing fields, basketball specifically, everybody's equal and there's no pointing and name-calling. It's all about teamwork'" (Steinmentz). A study was recently completed by the University of Toronto, where participation in sports and stress and depression levels were compared. The research found that students whom competed in at least one sport scored much higher compared to the students who competed in no sports. The students who were surveyed in high school then continued to be observed. The research showed that the people who competed in high school showed lower symptom in depression (Jewett). The benefits of sports have also been explained through chemical reactions which occur.  In the brain, sports have a similar reaction to drugs, "similar to sport and physical activity, drugs for treatment of depressions act on the brain's capacity to absorb serotonin" (University of Bern). Sports increase the cell growth in the brain and prevent the loss of cells in the hippocampus; depression is caused when cells in the hippocampus die off (University of Bern). Because of raised depression levels in transgender youth it is important that they get involved in sports, because ultimately it will decrease their symptoms.  

Currently the rules for transgender students in middles schools and high schools wishing to compete on athletic teams is very unclear. Many states do not have any rules therefore the rules and regulations are determined by the specific school or coach. Only thirteen states and the District of Columbia have set rules on how to handle participation of transgender athletes.  Seven states go so far as to require that before a high school student can compete as their affirmed gender they must receive either a new birth certificate or undergo sex reassignment surgery (Transathlete Resource). In these states the schools make it more difficult for the child to compete on a high school varsity level than the International Olympic Committee makes it for an elite athlete to compete on a world wide level. In order to compete under Olympic and NCAA standards reassignment surgery in not required (Maya). In the remaining states there are no rules or regulations regarding transgender high school athletes' rights. This means it may vary from school to school.   

It is important to develop some consistency from school to school, there needs to be set rules. Due to the risks that go along with forbidding a transgender student from participating on high school athletic teams schools across the United States should allow transgender students to participate on the team which they feel most comfortable. Students who are transgender already have a feeling of isolation and discrimination. Transgender students have a 50.6% chance of developing depression, compared to the non transgender risk of 20.6% chance (Zimmerman). The chance of a transgender student developing depression is almost double of the other students. Also when a transgender student is told that they can not compete on the team of their choice they will feel even more isolated and alone. Where as if they are allowed on the team they will feel as if they have a support system and people they can trust. Research done by Taliaferro states that "playing sports can even protect against suicide risk in youth" (TrueSport). A report called True Sport looks into the psychological and social benefits of youths participating in sports. The report shows that people who participate in sports have "greater self esteem" and "stronger peer relationships" (TrueSport). These things would be very beneficial to a transgender student. In many schools the officials tell transgender students wishing to play a sport to play on the team of their birth gender. Allowing a transgender student participate in a high school level sport can improve their future, 

"The Transgender Law & Policy Institute's guidelines for trans child athletes recommends permitting them to play in their affirmed gender, as it can 'provide an enormous boost to their self-confidence and self-esteem and provide them with positive experiences that will help them in all other areas of their lives'"(Block).

This The benefit, remarkably improving a transgender students' self confidence and mental health, far out ways the arguments. 

Many people are not accepting and supportive of transgender students participating on middle and high school athletic teams. A main concern to many people including Mike Huckabee is transgender students use of their affirmed gender's locker room.  Mike Huckabee said in one of his speeches, "Now, I wish that someone told me that when I was in high school that I could have felt like a woman when it came time to take showers in PE" he then continues on to say "I'm pretty sure that I would have found my feminine side and said, 'Coach, I think I'd rather shower with the girls today" (Campbell). Many states have also come out and said claimed this as a major concern, A transgender male in South Dakota was advised not to use the boys' locker rooms or bathrooms, "My counselor has advised me not to use the men's room. Because I'm male, the thought of using the girls' bathroom makes me upset and uncomfortable, as if I'm doing something that just doesn't feel right" (Lewis).  This concern makes transgender students to feel uncomfortable and isolated. Another concern that many people are faced with is that boys will pretend to be transgender females so they can dominate their league. First it is important to understand that transgender females are not boys, "Their consistent and affirmed gender identity as girls is as deep-seated as the gender identity of non-transgender girls" (Griffen). Also there has never been an issue, at any level of competition of a non-transgender person pretending to be transgender for an advantage. It is required in the majority of policies that in order to compete and be considered transgender a student must live their day to day life as that gender and be verified by a health care professional and their parents. The biggest concern which most people have about allowing transgender students to play on the tem of their choice is safety and equality. When looking at the safety issue, it is important to consider that in most sports there will be bigger and taller participants regardless of transgender students. People of all different heights and strengths compete against each other. The equality issue it has never been proven to be factual, rather a stereo type that all boys are stronger, faster, and more skilled than all girls. In high schools where transgender athletes have been allowed to compete there has been no advantages seen. 

On July 2, 2015 ESPN aired a segment called Outside the Lines: Transgender athletes and sports policy. The video starts off by introducing Leo, a transgender boy from Maine whom competes on the boys' swim team. In Maine a transgender student can petition to participate on the team of their choice. Leo explains, "My gender is nothing special, its just the same as anyone else's on my swim team" (ESPN). Leo then continues to explain that he has binders put in the top of his bathing suit, he then states " ... the physical pain is preferable to the discomfort I felt growing up with a female identity" (ESPN). The section of the segment finishes with Leo expressing how he feels that participating on the boys' swim team has made him more confident and emotionally stable. The segment then moves on to Shay, a transgender female from Montana. Shay came out as transgender when in sixth grade; she faced many bullies and developed severe depression. When in seventh grade shay began to self harm because "it was a way out" and when asked what her intent was she answered, "to feel better" (ESPN). Soon later Shay's parents decided to move her to a different middle school. At the new school Shay participated on the volleyball and track teams, but did not tell her teammates she was biologically male. Shay would change in the bathroom stall and showed no greater athletic ability than her teammates. When talking about her involvement in sports Shay says, "I was glad I was able to do it, for the greater good of my well being" (ESPN). However, now in 9th grade Shay is unable to participate on female sport teams. Shay explained that Montanta was a state that had no policy regarding transgender high school athletes' rights, therefore she was prohibited from participating in sports. The thing that arguably saved Shay's life was taken away from her. The well being of a transgender child is threatened when they are not allowed to participate in athletics and other activities

A set rule should be established to allow transgender high school student athletes to participate in the sport team of their choosing. By allowing transgender students to be a part of a team they will gain a sense of community and establish a greater self worth. Under title nine transgender students are protected, however at many schools these students are still not able to participate in athletics. The positive effect which come from playing sports should be able to be achieved by all youths regaurdless of gender According to Marilyn Price-Mitchell, a children's psycologist, participation in athletics tend to lead to higher success rates, "studies show that youth who participate in organized sports during middle and high school do better academically and are offered greater job prospects than children who do not partake in sports activities" (Mitchell).  Currently in California there is a set rule in order to ensure that transgender students are able to participate on the athletic team of their choice. The Student School Success and opportunity Act has been active since January 1st 2014. In order to pass the law many transgender students spoke out. Calen Valencia, a transgender 18 year old, spoke out about his personal experience in high school. Valencia explains, "I'm so excited that California is making sure transgender students have a fair chance to graduate and succeed" he then continued,

"I should have graduated this year, but my school refused to give me the same opportunity to succeed as other boys. Now other transgender youth won't have to choose between being themselves and graduating high school" (Transgender Law Center).

The law ensures that students the right to participate in any sport or activity which matches their gender identity (Transgender Law Center). This law should be implemented nation wide. Transgender students should go through a gender declaration process, to ensure the student is actually transgender. The process should include having a medical professional and parent sign off. By creating a law allowing all transgender students to participate in sports and activities according to their gender identity will decrease the chances of transgender students developing mental health issues, and increase their chance of graduating high school. 

The physical and mental health of students should be the main concern for officials when making rules for students. Transgender students are much more likely to face a mental health illness. Many transgender students face bullying while in classes, making them feel isolated. If transgender students were allowed to participate on an athletic team of their choice the benefits would be immense. Chemically the symptoms of depression would decrease due to the physical activity. Emotionally the transgender student would find a self worth. The student would find self worth because they are a part of a team. Being part of a team will also help the student feel less isolated, they would now have a solid group of people who they feel they belong with.  Being allowed to participate on an athletic team will decrease the transgender students chance of self harm and improve their mental health for the rest of their life (Griffen). There have been no events in the past which show a transgender student athlete having an advantage over a non-transgender student. Rules should be established in order to allow transgender athletes to compete on the athletic team of their choice. These rules will make transgender students feel less isolated, more confident, and ultimately improve their futures.  
