Diversity Resources

Diversity and Inclusion FAQ

1. Why is USBC involved with diversity and inclusion in the sport of bowling? The United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) and National Governing Bodies (NGBs) are required to ensure members are treated fairly and are allowed to participate without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, or national origin.
2. What does USBC do to support protections against discrimination? USBC’s bylaws explicitly provide this protection. The bylaws require USBC provide an equal opportunity to amateur athletes, coaches, trainers, managers, administrators, and officials to participate in amateur bowling competition without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, or National origin, and with fair notice and opportunity for hearing to any amateur athlete, coach, trainer, manager, administrator, or official before declaring the individual ineligible to participate.
3. What specific initiatives has the USBC done in this area? The USBC works with a variety of partners at the grassroots level with an aim of creating an inclusive environment. Every four years in collaboration with USOPC, USBC creates a formal Diversity Plan. For some specific examples, please visit our Diversity Plan page here, where we’ve highlighted some of those initiatives and their outcomes.
4. How can individuals help with USBC's diversity and inclusion? It starts at home in your local league. Be inviting to new individuals and inclusive of those who are different. Create a welcoming culture. No matter who we are or where we come from, we all share a common bond in bowling.
5. Are there specific resources available for underrepresented groups in bowling? Yes, we provide resources tailored to support underrepresented groups, including educational materials, mentorship programs, and networking opportunities. Our goal is to help reduce barriers and promote opportunities for everyone in the sport.
6. Does USBC provide education about inclusion? Absolutely. We regularly provide training programs at the staff level and also offer sessions for association leaders at the USBC Convention. These programs aim to create a more inclusive environment and promote respectful interactions within the bowling community.
7. D&I is a politically controversial issue. Why is USBC involved in something political? We don’t view USBC’s approach to be controversial and USBC is not seeking to take a political stance. USBC believes everyone who wants to participate should be included in bowling, and everyone deserves to be treated fairly, with dignity and respect, and without discrimination.
8. What should I do if I encounter discrimination in bowling? Contact the USBC Rules department for guidance. USBC employs rules counselors to help guide our members through their specific situation.
9. What is the USBC's stance on transgender individuals participating in bowling?
   As a National Governing Body (NGB) under United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC), we follow applicable federal law and regulations. After reviewing the federal Executive Order of February 5, 2025 related to transgender participation in women’s sports, USBC amended its Gender Classification Policy. To comply with the new federal standards, USBC paused approvals for transgender female competition. 
10. How does the USBC be inclusive of various gender identities?
    USBC does not ask for individuals to make a binary gender identity declaration when joining. USBC asks for individuals to let us know their competition category. USBC encourages gender competition categories to be either Open or Female. Open gender competitions are inclusive of any gender identity without limitation.
11. What if an individual doesn’t want to pick a competition category on their membership application?
    USBC will assume bowlers are competing in the Open competition category if none is provided.

Gender Classification Policy Details

1. How can leagues be more inclusive for everyone under the updated transgender policy? The easiest way is for leagues to be open without specific gender categories or awards. Mixed leagues without specific rules such as a minimum number of women on a team may be unaffected by the updated policy. 
2. What if a women’s league or tournament only wants to allow women who were assigned that gender at birth? If a league or tournament certifies a women’s only league or tournament, it will by default have gender for the competition determined by gender assigned at birth.
3. Can a women’s league allow transgender females to bowl in its league? Yes, leagues are invitational by nature and by rule, can determine the make-up of the league when the league begins.To do this, the league would, by majority vote, adopt a rule the league is open to women and transgender females and when they certify the league, mark it as a mixed league.
4. What does a historically women’s tournament need to do to allow transgender females in its competition? A tournament manager would need a rule stating participation is open to females and transgender females. 
5. Doesn’t this violate the new policy and Executive Order? No, while USBC can no longer approve transgender women for competition across all USBC events, individual leagues and tournaments can write competition rules to allow transgender females and those whose biological sex is female to compete in the same division. Local leagues and tournaments are invitational by nature and are permitted to determine the qualifications and limits on their participants.
6. Why doesn’t USBC adopt this provision with its women’s tournaments? The Executive Order includes specific direction related to National Governing Bodies. Therefore, USBC may not grant eligibility to transgender females to compete in women’s sporting events. USBC interprets the federal standard to be that USBC can’t allow participation of transgender females in the women’s competition USBC conducts. This includes USBC local and state associations and their required women’s championship tournaments.