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A crucial subversion of the misconceptions around the participation of gender diverse athletes—advocating for the inclusion of trans and nonbinary athletes across all levels of sport
The debate over the inclusion of gender diverse people in sport has become the latest battleground in the fight for basic human rights and equality. Trans and nonbinary people around the world are facing physical harm and violence—including death—at unprecedented rates. In Let Us Play, trans athlete Harrison Browne and investigative journalist Rachel Browne reveal how 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.”
Interweaving Harrison’s firsthand experience as a transgender athlete with exclusive accounts—from athletes, coaches, policymakers, and advocates on the front lines—Let Us 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 of the binaries from youth and high school levels all the way to the national leagues, Browne and Browne offer a new path forward, led by solutions proposed by gender diverse athletes themselves.
“This well-researched, trenchantly argued, and compassionately written book is a must-read for those invested in the fight against transphobia. Deftly combining memoir-style profiles of trans athletes with political analysis, the authors clearly and adeptly dismantle both the patriarchal, transphobic basis of anti-trans policies and our preconceived notions about gender, ability, and sport. A strong argument for dismantling gender segregation in sports.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“This book succeeds in clearly exploring topics that range from the current political climate to hormones, the Olympics, locker room etiquette, and NCAA rules and regulations by forgoing overly technical language. Let Us Play offers a compelling case of a human-rights issue while reminding readers that gender diverse athletes, like cisgender athletes, just want to play freely and be part of a team.”
—Booklist
“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
“There has never been a more important time to elevate the stories and truths of transgender people in sport. Whether you’re a sports fan, an ally, or someone navigating their own path toward self-acceptance, Let Us Play will shed light on the unique challenges trans athletes face.”
—Chris Mosier, transgender athlete and activist
“Harrison Browne is not only an incredible athlete but a leading figure in raising awareness and battling transphobia. His story of perseverance and the courage to be oneself will inspire anyone who reads it.”
—Eric Radford, Olympic gold medalist, figure skating
“Get your head out of your phone and stop doomscrolling. Read Let Us Play instead.”
—Jay Onrait, sports anchor