Despite President Donald Trump’s executive order banning transgender athletes from competing in female sports, Pennsylvania schools continue to allow biological males to participate in girls’ competitions. The latest example occurred at the SOL American Conference Championships in Horsham, where transgender runner Luce Allen, formerly known as Sean, won the girls’ 200-meter race.
Allen narrowly edged out the top biological female by less than two-hundredths of a second. Event footage reveals a clear physical difference between Allen and the rest of the field, with Allen appearing significantly more muscular and physically dominant than the competitors.
The win has reignited debate over fairness in girls’ sports, especially in states openly ignoring federal policy. Under President Trump’s order, states receiving federal education funds are expected to enforce protections for female athletes. However, Pennsylvania has continued to allow schools to adopt their own policies, creating a patchwork of enforcement across districts.
Allen’s parents defended the decision to allow participation in the girls’ division. Allen’s mother, Sarah Hansen, stated that placing her biological son in boys’ sports would be “cruel,” arguing that her child is a female “in her heart and soul.” Allen, speaking through a lawyer, claimed that prohibiting transgender athletes from competing according to their gender identity would deny them personal development and inclusion.
Critics argue that allowing transgender athletes to compete against girls undermines the integrity of women’s sports and erases hard-fought protections for female athletes. Supporters of President Trump’s executive action maintain that sports categories based on biological sex are essential for fairness and safety.
Pennsylvania’s decision to ignore the federal order adds to growing tensions between conservative leadership and progressive state policies, with legal and political battles likely to intensify.
The victory has sparked widespread backlash from parents and advocates for women’s sports, who say female athletes are being robbed of fair competition. Calls are growing for stricter enforcement of President Trump’s executive order to protect biological integrity in girls’ athletics.
