Critics skeptical of YMCA’s diversity statement removal

(The Center Square) – Following criticism, the YMCA removed its online diversity, equity and inclusion statement that made reference to gender identity, with a parents advocacy group warning the move may not reflect a real policy change.

Executive director of the American Parents Coalition Alleigh Marré told The Center Square that “the YMCA’s decision to delete its DEI statement is not a meaningful shift but a strategic retreat after being exposed.”

In June, the American Parents Coalition (APC) released a Lookout alert for parents warning of the YMCA’s policies, which touched on the YMCA’s diversity statement.

Marré told The Center Square: “By removing the language that revealed their embrace of gender ideology, [the YMCA is] trying to distance themselves from ideas they clearly recognize carry risks, yet they refuse to change or acknowledge the problem.”

“American families are left facing the same risks, boys in girls’ private spaces, lack of transparency, and policies that prioritize identity over biological reality, while the organization quietly rewrites its public record,” Marré said.  

“Families deserve honest institutions, not calculated revisions that obscure rather than resolve the problem,” Marré said. “Taxpayer dollars should not support institutions that embed gender ideology into policies.”

When reached, the YMCA’s media relations told The Center Square that “the Digital Services site that APC discovered is no longer in use and expires at the end of the year.” 

“In 2025, YMCA of the USA re-evaluated all language/content and programs based on Executive Order 14173,” the YMCA said.

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The YMCA explained that when American Parents Coalition pointed out the diversity statement in question, “we revised the language to match existing content across our other channels.”

The diversity statement in question on the YMCA’s Digital Services website originally stated that the organization “work[s] to ensure that everyone, regardless of ability, age, cultural background, ethnicity, faith, gender, gender identity, ideology, income, national origin, race or sexual orientation, has the opportunity to reach their full potential with dignity.”

After revisions, the statement now reads that the YMCA “work[s] to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential with dignity.”

Alleigh Marré told The Center Square that “hiding the language doesn't erase the policies promoted and implemented” by the YMCA. 

“The language does not fix the underlying problems; it’s about the actions,” Marré said. “Over the last year, the YMCA proved even if words change, they will still advance policies that threaten the safety and security of kids.” 

“The time to protect kids is now,” Marré said.

As The Center Square reported, American Parents Coalition’s Lookout notification exposed YMCA policies that allow female-identifying males into female cabins and restrooms at certain children’s summer camps.