Debunks myths and misconceptions around the volatile debate about the participation of gender-diverse athletes while advocating for the inclusion of trans and nonbinary athletes across all levels of sport
The recent anti-trans commentary around the 2024 Summer Olympics and the wave of anti-trans sports law around the world often includes disturbing provisions and biases that perpetuate harmful stigmas that even amount to abuse. In Let Them Play, trans athlete Harrison Browne and investigative journalist Rachel Browne weave together the narratives and distorted facts behind the headlines, revealing that the opposition towards gender diverse athletes is fueled by fear and a moral panic as opposed to facts around what makes “a level playing field.”
The stakes have never been higher for the inclusion of gender diverse people in sport and society. With increased visibility, they are facing physical harm and violence—including death—at unprecedented rates. The world of sports, particularly at youth levels, has become the latest battleground in the fight for basic human rights and equality. Combining thorough scientific research with exclusive accounts—from athletes, coaches, policymakers, and advocates on the front lines—Let Them Play dismantles the illusion that sports have ever been fair, that trans athletes pose a threat to women’s sports, and that gender-affirming healthcare for athletes should be prohibitive to play.
Calling for a reframing and expansion of the binaries at all levels of the sport, Let Them Play offers a new path forward, led by solutions proposed by trans, nonbinary, and gender diverse athletes themselves.
“I’ve always believed that the best way to combat ignorance and bigotry is through education, and Harrison Browne and Rachel Browne do just that in Let Us Play. While fear-driven narratives have clouded discussions about trans and nonbinary athletes, this book demystifies the debate by confronting the misinformation that fuels the opposition, while providing actual facts to inform your thinking. This book is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in the future of sports, gender equality, and the ongoing fight for inclusivity.”
—Colin Mochrie, actor and comedian
“Much has been said about trans athletes, but not enough has been said by trans athletes. I knew those who opposed trans athletes were steeped in misguided fear, but this book gave me the language and research to articulate why that is. Trans athletes have always been here; the moral panic about them is a newly invented and stoked diversion. Let Us Play is about more than trans athletes; it’s about gender in sports and the ways in which misogyny, sexism, and rigidity are ruining the joyous experience of athleticism for everyone.”
—Gabe Dunn, coauthor of I Hate Everyone But You
“Finally, a thoughtful deep dive into the intersection of sports and trans experiences! Tackling one of the most contentious and critical issues in sports today—the human right for gender diverse athletes to compete—Browne and Browne expose the moral-panic machine and challenge readers to envision a future in which all athletes are free to play without prejudice. Let Us Play is not just a call to action—it’s a vital road map for equality in sports and beyond.”
—Amos Mac, coeditor of Original Plumbing: The Best of Ten Years of Trans Male Culture
“As a transgender person myself, I often encounter comments questioning whether transgender athletes should be allowed to compete. Let Us Play serves as a reliable resource to effectively counter ignorance and reinforces the message that transgender people rightfully belong in sports—and in the world. Let Us Play is for anyone seeking to understand the strength and challenges of being transgender, being an athlete, and how many people embody both identities. I’m proud to join in and shout, ‘LET US PLAY!’”
—Miles McKenna, author of I Am NOT a Vampire
“Harrison Browne has been an inspiration to many of us, on and off the ice, and has personally made me a better ally to any and all gender diverse friends, colleagues, and teammates. More urgent than ever before, Let Us Play is a crucial playbook that athletes and non-athletes alike can use to help make sports an inclusive place for all.”
—Meghan Duggan, 3-time Olympian and Olympic gold medalist, USA Women’s Hockey
“Let Us Play would be a vital, incisive book in any era, but of course this is not just any era. In a time when gender diversity in sports is being banned at the federal level, we need to understand the issue beyond the bigoted caricatures emerging from the sewers of US politics. In the hands of the Browne siblings, we get a new understanding of the issue in all its complexity by hearing the voices of those who have to navigate this never-more-perilous space. This book is a gift. Let’s make sure it gets into the hands of those who need it. The Brownes’ message matters because it’s also a reminder that however complex their arguments may be, the message is a simple one: everyone should have the right to play.”
—Dave Zirin, sports editor, The Nation
“Blending deeply personal experience with accessible political context and history, Let Us Play is a generous and necessary resource for navigating some of our most urgent sociopolitical issues.”
—Chase Joynt, author of Vantage Points