Vast majority of Americans don’t want trans athletes on sports teams that don’t match their birth sex

Almost three-quarters of Americans don’t want trans women competing against female athletes in sporting events, and vice versa — with both Republicans and Democrats united on the issue, a new poll has found.

Seventy-three percent of US adults surveyed were uncomfortable with “transgender athletes competing on sports teams that don’t match their sex at birth,” according to an analysis from Pew Research Center released on Tuesday.

Just 13% of adults said they were extremely or very comfortable with trans athletes competing against those who align with their gender identity, while 14% said they were somewhat comfortable.

Republicans and Democrats both agreed on the issue, although to different degrees, with 91% of conservatives and 55% of progressives admitting they are uncomfortable with it.

WNBA star Sophie Cunningham has faced backlash for saying biological males shouldn’t compete in women’s sports. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Men and women were also in agreement on the issue, with the majority of both sexes admitting they were not comfortable with it.

Seventy-seven percent of men and 69% of women were against the idea of trans athletes competing with those born a different sex.

Every racial group surveyed came up with similar results, with 75% of white people, 67% of Hispanics, 68% of black people and 68% of Asian people uncomfortable about trans athletes.

Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve wore a “Trans Kids Belong” T-shirt during a game against Cunningham. AP Photo/Abbie Parr

While older people were more likely than younger adults to express discomfort, with 80% of those aged 65 and over voting that way, a clear majority of 60% of those aged 18-29 also said they didn’t want trans athletes on teams of a different birth sex.

It comes as the issue of trans athletes in sports — particularly transgender women in women’s sports — has once again been thrust into the spotlight.

Last month, WNBA star Sophie Cunningham sparked controversy when she stated that she supported restricting transgender women from participating in women’s sports during an ESPN profile.

While many female athletes have expressed support for Cunningham’s views, the Indiana Fever guard has faced boos and protests from a small minority of the crowd during away games.

Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve made a point of wearing a “Trans Kids Belong” T-shirt during a home game against the Fever in Minneapolis on Aug. 1.