Colombian Court Orders Volleyball League to Reverse Ban on Transgender Players

Colombia’s Constitutional Court has delivered a decisive verdict in favor of transgender inclusion in sports, ordering the Liga Antioqueña de Voleibol, the regional volleyball governing body in Antioquia, to rescind its controversial ban on transgender athletes. The court ruled that excluding transgender players from competitions aligned with their gender identity violates constitutional rights to dignity and equality, marking a significant milestone for LGBTQ+ rights in the nation’s sporting landscape .

The case was initiated by a transgender woman, Emiliana Castrillón Jaramillo, who had been a member of the league for over a decade. Despite her long-standing participation and absence of any complaints, she was barred from competing in women’s matches halfway through a tournament after the league instituted a policy excluding transgender athletes from competitions consistent with their gender identity .

The sudden ban prompted Jaramillo to file a lawsuit, arguing that the league’s policy was not only discriminatory but also lacked any scientific basis. She pointed out that she had already played in at least four tournament matches without incident or protest from fellow athletes, raising questions about the necessity and fairness of the exclusion .

A panel of three judges—Natalia Ángel Cabo, José Fernando Reyes Cuartos, and Cristina Pardo Schlesinger (who abstained from the final vote)—delivered the ruling on October 1. The majority opinion found that the policy was rooted in discrimination and not supported by scientific evidence. Judges Ángel Cabo and Reyes Cuartos emphasized that athletic performance depends more on “body composition,” training, and nutrition than on gender identity alone.

The judges cited a 2024 study endorsed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which demonstrated that transgender athletes do not possess an inherent competitive advantage over cisgender athletes. In fact, the research indicates that hormone therapy can reduce muscle mass and cardiovascular capacity, sometimes placing transgender athletes at a disadvantage .

The court further criticized the league for basing its policy solely on sex assigned at birth, instead of taking into account hormone levels or other relevant factors. The verdict highlighted that the league’s failure to provide evidence of unfair advantage or complaints from other players undermined the rationale for the ban .

The Constitutional Court has instructed the Liga Antioqueña de Voleibol to immediately allow the affected athlete to finish participating in the current tournament. Moreover, the ruling mandates that the league work with Colombia’s Ministry of Sport to revise its regulations, ensuring that no discriminatory practices remain and that transgender athletes can participate in all competitions in alignment with their gender identity .

This decision sets a precedent for other sports organizations across Colombia and potentially the wider region, highlighting the need for sports governance policies that respect human rights and are informed by scientific evidence rather than prejudice or misinformation .

Advocacy groups and LGBTQ+ organizations in Colombia and internationally have welcomed the court’s decision as a victory for equality and inclusion. Many point to the broader context of increasing restrictions on transgender athletes worldwide, noting that policies based on assumptions about “biological advantage” often lack scientific support and reinforce harmful stereotypes .

Local LGBTQ+ advocates emphasize that sports participation is vital for physical and mental health, social integration, and personal development. They argue that inclusive policies not only protect individual rights but also enrich the sporting community by embracing diversity .

Internationally, the ruling is expected to influence ongoing debates in other countries where similar bans have been proposed or enacted. The court’s reliance on up-to-date scientific research and constitutional principles of equality offers a robust framework for challenging exclusionary policies on a global scale .

The Ministry of Sport has been tasked with overseeing the implementation of the new regulations and providing guidance to ensure compliance with the court’s order. Observers note that continued vigilance will be necessary to guarantee sustained progress and to prevent the reintroduction of discriminatory practices under new guises .

The ruling also serves as a reminder of the importance of legal mechanisms in upholding the rights of marginalized groups. For transgender athletes in Colombia, the decision represents not just a return to the volleyball court, but a reaffirmation of their place in public life and competitive sport.

Colombia’s Constitutional Court has set a clear precedent by affirming the rights of transgender athletes to participate fully and authentically in sports. This judgment is a milestone for LGBTQ+ rights in Latin America and a significant development in the ongoing global conversation about inclusion, fairness, and the true spirit of athletic competition.