Some of us might think that the fight for trans people’s right to play sports is new. But a recent book, “The Other Olympians: Fascism, Queerness, and the Making of Modern Sports” delves into the history of this debate that has lasted the better part of a century at least.

Now the Trump administration is threatening states with funding cuts and other sanctions if they allow trans people to play sports on teams that align with their gender identity. It’s just one element of Trump’s full-scale war on trans people’s existence. But as we’ll hear, these types of campaigns have a deep-rooted history with ties to the Nazis.

In an interview that we recorded before Trump took office, we talk with the book’s author, Michael Waters about this history and what it tells us about our current efforts to secure trans people’s rights in athletics and beyond.

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Resources:

The Other Olympians: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780374609818/theotherolympians/

NYCLU Roller Rebels case: https://www.nyclu.org/resources/campaigns-actions/campaigns/stand-trans-athletes-nassau-county

Trump’s attack on trans athletes: https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/inside-trumps-full-force-approach-to-ban-trans-athletes-and-dei-in-schools/2025/04

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