It’s a legitimate debate, from a fairness point of view only: Should trans females be allowed to compete against genetic females in sports? Should trans males be allowed to compete against genetic males?
If not, as is the case in some places, should trans males (i.e. genetic females) pumped up on testosterone as part of their transition process be allowed to compete against genetic females?
Those opposed to trans females — at least, those opposed for fairness reasons only — competing against genetic females cite unfair advantages because of the “biological reality” of, essentially and generally speaking, genetic males being heavier, faster and stronger than genetic females.
I totally get why sports organizations have tried to be as inclusive as possible by allowing trans females to compete in women’s sports, and God bless them for their kindness. But I am not so sure it is always fair. I would hate to think that a trans woman won a competition because of the unfair advantage of earlier, permanent physical testosterone development. Apparently, such victories have happened, according to some.
So, what is the solution? Trans athletes should be entitled to compete.
It seems rather obvious to me, from an objective point of view making fairness paramount. In categories in which trans women may have an advantage, let them compete against other trans women. But in categories in which they do not have a physical advantage, let them compete against all female competitors.
The idea of a trans category in sports is not new. Recently, I saw a somewhat sarcastic comment by one reader to a post on the subject, saying nobody would watch trans athletes competing against each other. I wondered if that reader felt the same way about the Special Olympics and other such sports.
Regardless, amateur athletes compete for the joy of competition — audience or none.
Sadly, it’s all or nothing for extremists on both sides of the issues. Some trans women feel they should be able to compete against genetic females in all categories. And some genetic females don’t want anything to do with trans females in sports or any other walks of life — totally rejecting transgenderism and so-called “gender theory.” But this post is not about personal beliefs and prejudices. It is about fair play in sports.
Can the two sides find middle ground on the issue, allowing trans women to compete against genetic women when there is no unfair advantage, and creating trans-only categories for other sports?
I hope so.
— Jillian
Jillian Page 
I’m not sure any competitor in organized athletics beyond high school school is really an amateur anymore. Maybe some of the smaller colleges.
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An extremely prickly and multi faceted topic !
I think your approaching it alone takes guts, offers most sides in balanced detail with wisdom and objectivity.
All your points are fair, easy to understand and hard to disagree with. While the issues you raise are clear, your solutions are not .. (but I suppose your goal and your place in “issues” is to ask questions and raise awareness?).
I believe strongly in physical nature and scientific fact.
I believe that all aspects and attributes of Gender (as all thinks in Nature) are distributed on a normal distribution curve (asymptotic tails on both sides).
I also believe that Gender is continuous and therefore can be applied to a normal distribution.
Applying this to a population, be it any of L.G.B.T or other sexual handle, as in any population can quantify
the measurements of maleness or femaleness. If the results of those measurement is of female vs male hormones, (or what ever else) they can be grouped according to the ability of athleticism and strength.
Limits can be defined, set and those groups can more fairly compete against each other.
It would then be physically and practically fair to compete fairly within each group. It wouldn’t matter how each participant acquired these measured and grouped attributes they would just be competing fairly.
This would leave all the other aspects of competition desire, preparation, mental stamina …….. that have nothing to do with physicality to affect results….
There more to say and this may actually be overly simplistic but it’s a solution….
Regards,
Ron
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The rules in Canada are pretty much cast in stone, in favour of trans people, and the only way they can be changed is if the people who originally lobbied for them and those now opposed sit down together and talk, work out some sort of arrangement, then ask the right government officials to take it from there. It is unlikely to happen because the two sides are so far apart: there is an element in Canada that despises trans people and does everything in its power to dehumanize and delegitimize them, and there are trans extremists who won’t listen to any suggestions for change. So, no politicians will even entertain the thought of changing the rules — I got that from a highly placed individual in Ottawa. But if the anti-trans crowd could look beyond their hate in the name of fair play in sports and asked for a meeting with the appropriate trans individuals, something might be done about it.
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Considering what “might” happen on Nov 3 2020, let’s leave IT too “democracy”. WE(ever)TF that means. oh, yeah, “the Science”. So, do “males” have it over “females”, blahblahblah. I have a better idea, let’s ask our Primate “people”. sorry, I cannot be “objective” on this topic. No matter how salient %P%|%@
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Since I could care less about sports, I don’t care who plays.
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From my perspective:
It’s not really about sports or who plays
whom or competes against who, it’s about how the L. G. B. T, Q microcosm settles into, interacts with
, is accepted by and then disappears within the global macrocosm.
It’s about a totally level playing field and the normalization and acceptance of everyone while finding ways to help assure that happens.
We’v
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