The National Collegiate Athletic Association, the NCAA, said Monday it “firmly and unequivocally supports” transgender student athletes — in the face of Republican-led efforts to ban trans athletes from school sports. The NCAA has also vowed to hold championships only in places that are free of discrimination. In a statement, the NCAA says, “Our clear expectation … is that all student-athletes will be treated with dignity and respect.” Almost 30 state legislatures are considering bills banning trans students from competing in school sports. Four states — Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas and Idaho — have already enacted such bans.