USA Rugby announced a new "open" category for trans women. Advocates say it's a "dark milestone." - LGBTQ Nation

"USA Rugby is required to comply and update the terms that identify eligibility for gender categories. Failure to do so could result in sanctions from the USOPC, including the potential loss of NGB status. Accordingly, the updated policy will apply to all USA Rugby-sanctioned competitions."

"The Open Division will permit any athlete, regardless of gender assigned at birth and gender identity, to compete in USA Rugby-sanctioned events, whether full contact or non-contact. To comply with USOPC's NGB Athlete Safety Policy, the Women's Division is limited to individuals who are assigned female at birth."

"USA Rugby is claiming to offer a space for everyone while effectively building a 'separate but equal' structure. This is a betrayal of the rugby values of integrity and passion."

USA Rugby implemented a new competitive structure with three categories: men's, women's, and open divisions. This change resulted from a presidential executive order declaring that trans women should not compete in women's sports. The United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee determined this order applies to all National Governing Bodies, requiring USA Rugby to update eligibility requirements or face potential sanctions and loss of NGB status. The open division permits any athlete regardless of gender assigned at birth or gender identity to compete. The women's division is now limited to individuals assigned female at birth, while the men's category remains open to athletes registered as male.

Read at LGBTQ Nation