New York, N.Y. — In Falls Church, Virginia, 18-year-old Eliza Munshi, a transgender girl and senior at Falls Church High School, has been thrust into the national spotlight after being barred from competing on her school’s girls’ track and field team.

This decision stems from a controversial executive order signed by president Donald Trump in February 2025, banning transgender girls and women from participating in female sports. The order has ignited fierce debates over fairness, inclusion, and the rights of transgender athletes.

A Personal Journey Interrupted

Eliza has identified as a girl since childhood. Supported by her parents, Ali and Shyam Munshi, she began her gender transition before entering fifth grade.

Her family’s journey has been one of resilience, navigating varying levels of acceptance across different states due to Shyam’s military career.

After facing hostility in states like Alabama and Florida, the Munshis returned to Virginia in search of a more inclusive environment.

Despite these challenges, Eliza found solace in athletics. She had hoped to compete with her peers on the girls’ track team during her final high school season.

However, the Virginia High School League (VHSL), following Trump’s executive order, enforced a ban requiring transgender athletes to compete based on their sex assigned at birth. Left with no other option, Eliza joined the boys’ track team to stay connected with her friends and continue pursuing her passion for sports.

A Disparity in Competition

Eliza’s participation on the boys’ team has highlighted significant disparities. At her first meet as a member of the boys’ team, she competed in the discus throw with distances of 41 feet 2 inches and 41 feet 4 inches—impressive but far below the average male throw of 74.5 feet. These results underscore the challenges transgender athletes face when forced into categories that do not align with their gender identity.

The Broader Political Context

Trump’s executive order has sparked widespread controversy. Proponents argue that it protects fairness in women’s sports by preventing perceived advantages for transgender athletes.

Critics, however, contend that such measures are discriminatory and based on misinformation. Research shows that transgender athletes make up a tiny fraction of all competitors and that their inclusion does not harm women’s sports.

Virginia lawmakers are now considering additional legislation to enforce stricter policies on transgender athletes. These proposed laws would require athletes to compete based on their biological sex at birth and undergo medical verification—a move activists say infringes on privacy and human rights.

The Human Cost of Exclusion

Advocates for transgender rights emphasize the harmful effects of such bans. Exclusion from sports can lead to social isolation, mental health struggles, and missed opportunities for personal growth.

For Eliza, being forced onto the boys’ team is both an emotional and physical challenge. “I just want to be treated like everyone else,” she said in a recent interview.

Eliza’s story is emblematic of a larger struggle faced by transgender youth across the country. As she prepares to graduate in June, she hopes her experience will inspire change and foster greater understanding for future generations of transgender athletes.

** STAND FOR EQUALITY! **
To support inclusive policies
for America’s transgender youth,
be an ally on social media and
call your elected representatives

#TransRights #EqualityInSports #LetThemPlay
#InclusionMatters #ElizaMunshi #LGBTQYouth
#FairnessForAll #TransAthletesMatter #StopTheBan

Tags: transgender athletes, Virginia High School League,
sports ban, LGBTQ rights, Donald Trump executive order,
high school sports, gender equality, inclusion in athletics