US Lacrosse seeks to foster a national lacrosse community that encourages understanding, appreciation and acceptance of all within its membership, volunteer base, and staff. Further, US Lacrosse believes that broad representation and participation add significant value to the lacrosse experience of each of us, and that these valued experiences are enhanced by embracing underrepresented and underserved communities.

A transgender youth athlete should be allowed lacrosse participation in accordance withhis or her gender identity, irrespective of the gender listed on the athlete’s birth certificateor other records and regardless of whether the athlete has undergone any medical treatment. Team or league policies should not prevent an athlete from electing to participate in an activity according to his or her gender identity.

This means an athlete who is biologically female but has a male gender identity should be allowed to participate in male events and an athlete who is biologically male but has a female gender identity should be allowed to participate in female events. Such a policy is not required by US Lacrosse, but it is the recommended policy of US Lacrosse.

Recommended Practice for Founders Girls Lacrosse:

1. When an athlete (and/or the athlete’s parents) discloses a transgender identity, coaches should request a change of the athlete’s gender by contacting Membership staff at US Lacrosse. Once this is completed, the athlete will be able to be entered in events that match his/her gender identity.
2. At all times, teammates, coaches, and others should respect the confidentiality of transgender athletes. Discussion or disclosure of an individual’s gender identity shouldonly take place after expressed permission is given by the individual or their parents.
3. In all cases, teammates, coaches, and all others should refer to transgender athletes by the athlete’s preferred name. Similarly, in all cases, pronoun references to transgenderathletes should reflect the athlete’s gender and pronoun preferences.
4. Anticipate and address any transgender access issues, including making locker rooms and bathrooms safely available.
5. Teams should provide training to their staff and regular volunteers regarding their responsibilities to prevent, identify, and respond to bullying, harassment, and discrimination. Such topics should include terms and concepts of gender identity and expression and bystander intervention strategies related to bullying. Be prepared to address discriminatory behavior, based on any perceived or actual gender identity or gender expression of an athlete.