Cal Maritime Severs Ties With NAIA Over Association's Ban on Transgender Athletes

Cal Maritime has made the decision to sever its ties with the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics after the association recently enacted a policy that effectively bans transgender athletes from competing in women's sports. 

Cal Maritime interim president Michale Dumont sent a letter to the Vallejo campus community announcing the decision to withdraw from the NAIA next summer, saying the exclusionary policy violates California state law. 

The NAIA in April restricted women's sports participation to athletes assigned female at birth who have not begun hormone therapy. California law prohibits discrimination based on gender identity, among other characteristics, in any post-secondary institution receiving state funding. 

“As outlined in the Interim CSU Non-Discrimination Policy, we are committed to an inclusive and equitable community that values diversity and fosters mutual respect,” Dumont wrote in his letter, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. “All students and employees have the right to participate fully in CSU programs, activities, admission, and employment free from discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct, sexual exploitation, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking and retaliation.”

“It’s in direct violation with not only the governmental code, but in the CSU’s rulings about treatment and discrimination,” said athletic director Karen Lee Yoder. The NAIA policy “does not support the CSU policy, California State Policy, or Title IX in our reading of it. We disagree with the NAIA.”

The NCAA has taken a different path forward, and released a statement in response to the NAIA's policy. 

“College sports are the premier stage for women’s sports in America and the NCAA will continue to promote Title IX, make unprecedented investments in women’s sports and ensure fair competition for all student-athletes in all NCAA championships.”