Sports

Transgender Athletes in Competive Sports

William Kwan

Sengupta, Somini. “New Bill Would Ban Transgender Athletes From Women’s Sports.” The New York Times, 20 Apr. 2023, www.nytimes.com/2023/04/20/us/politics/transgender-athlete-ban-bill.html.

The article reports on a proposed bill in the United States that would ban transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports. Supporters argue that transgender athletes have an unfair advantage over cisgender athletes and threaten the integrity of women’s sports. Critics argue that such bans are discriminatory and ignore the complexities of gender identity and athletic performance. The article provides examples of similar measures that have been introduced in other states, as well as potential legal challenges that the bill may face. It also highlights the ongoing debate and scientific research around transgender athletes in sports. The article presents a balanced view of the issue, including viewpoints from both sides of the debate.

The New York Times is a highly reputable news organization that has been reporting on current events and providing in-depth analysis for over 150 years. The article is well-researched and cites multiple sources, including lawmakers, transgender rights advocates, and legal experts. Additionally, the article provides context by referencing similar bills introduced in other states and by acknowledging the ongoing debate and scientific research around the issue. The article also includes quotes and statements from both supporters and opponents of the proposed bill, giving readers a balanced view of the topic. Overall, the article meets the standards of credible journalism and provides a comprehensive overview of the proposed ban on transgender athletes in women’s sports.

  1. “The proposed legislation is part of a wave of similar measures that have been introduced in state legislatures across the country in recent years, leading to heated debates over the rights of transgender athletes and the integrity of women’s sports.”
  2. “Opponents of such bans argue that they are discriminatory and ignore the complexities of gender identity and athletic performance. They say transgender girls and women have faced enough discrimination and should be allowed to compete in sports consistent with their gender identity.”

Transgender Athletes in Competitive Sports

William Kwan

Kornei, Kathrine. “The scientist racing to discover how gender transitions alter athletic performance, including her own.” Science, 12 Mar. 2020, https://www.science.org/content/article/scientist-racing-discover-how-gender-transitions-alter-athletic-performance-including.

The article explores ongoing scientific research into how gender transitions can impact athletic performance. The study aims to provide more evidence-based guidance on the topic of transgender athletes competing in sports. Scientists are conducting tests to measure changes in muscle mass, bone density, and other physiological factors before and after gender transitions. However, the research is still in its early stages, and there are limitations to the studies, including small sample sizes and the lack of long-term data. The International Olympic Committee has established guidelines for transgender athletes, which require them to lower their testosterone levels for at least 12 months before competing. However, some argue that these guidelines may not be sufficient and that more research is needed to ensure fair competition for all athletes.

The article is credible because it is published on the website of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), a respected scientific organization. The AAAS is an international non-profit organization that promotes scientific education and research and publishes several reputable scientific journals, including Science. The article references the work of several researchers and institutions, including the International Olympic Committee, the Karolinska Institute, and the University of California Los Angeles, which are all well-respected in the scientific community. The article also acknowledges the limitations of the current research and provides a balanced view of the ongoing debate around transgender athletes in sports. Overall, the article presents a well-researched and objective overview of the topic.

  1. “The question of whether transgender athletes should be allowed to compete in sports has become a flashpoint in recent years, with some arguing that they have an unfair advantage, while others say excluding them is discriminatory.”
  2. “The ongoing research is aimed at providing more evidence-based guidance to sports governing bodies on the issue. But experts caution that the science is in its early stages, and there are many unknowns.”

Transgender Athletes in High Level Competitions

William Kwan

Turban, Jack L. and Shervin Assari. “Trans Girls Belong on Girls’ Sports Teams.” Scientific American, 1 June 2021, https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/trans-girls-belong-on-girls-sports-teams/.

In their article “Trans Girls Belong on Girls’ Sports Teams,” Jack L. Turban and Shervin Assari argue that transgender girls should be allowed to compete on girls’ sports teams. They claim that barring transgender girls from girls’ sports teams is discriminatory and goes against the principles of equality and fairness. They note that research has shown that hormone therapy can effectively reduce any physical advantages that transgender girls may have, and that sports organizations should adopt policies that allow transgender girls to compete according to their gender identity. Turban and Assari also argue that allowing transgender girls to compete on girls’ sports teams can provide important benefits for their mental health and social integration. They emphasize that transgender girls deserve to have the same opportunities as their cisgender peers and that excluding them from sports teams can lead to feelings of isolation and stigmatization.

The authors of this article, Jack L. Turban and Shervin Assari, are both medical doctors and researchers who have published peer-reviewed articles on the topic of transgender health. The article is published in Scientific American, a respected and well-established magazine that covers scientific news and research.

  1. “Excluding trans girls from girls’ teams or forcing them to compete with boys undermines principles of fairness and equality. Sports should be welcoming and supportive of all children, and policies that exclude trans children or segregate them into separate leagues have no scientific or ethical justification.”
  2. “By allowing trans children to participate in sports according to their gender identity, we can promote social integration and mental health. Research has shown that social exclusion and stigma are significant risk factors for depression, anxiety and suicide in transgender youth. Inclusive policies that affirm gender identity can help to mitigate these risks and support healthy development for all children.”
Turban

Transgender Athletes Competing at a High Level

William Kwan

Hogshead-Makar, Nancy. “Sex Matters: Why Transgender Athletes Must Not Compete Against Biological Females.” Swimming World Magazine, 26 Feb. 2019, https://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/sex-matters-why-transgender-athletes-must-not-compete-against-biological-females/

  • In her article “Sex Matters: Why Transgender Athletes Must Not Compete Against Biological Females,” Nancy Hogshead-Makar argues that transgender athletes competing against biological females in sports is unfair and poses a risk to the safety of female athletes. She claims that the physical differences between male and female athletes are significant and cannot be mitigated by hormone therapy or other medical interventions, as they only partially reduce strength and speed advantages. Hogshead-Makar emphasizes that women’s sports were created to provide opportunities for female athletes to compete fairly, and allowing transgender athletes to compete against them undermines this objective. She also notes that the inclusion of transgender athletes in women’s sports could create a scenario where biological males dominate female sports, resulting in fewer opportunities for female athletes. Overall, Hogshead-Makar argues that it is important to maintain a level playing field in women’s sports and to protect the safety and opportunities of female athletes.
  • Nancy Hogshead-Makar is a former Olympic swimmer and civil rights lawyer. The article is published on Swimming World Magazine, a respected publication that covers swimming and aquatics-related news and events. The article presents a well-researched argument based on scientific evidence and legal considerations.
  1. “The physical differences between males and females are significant and can’t be fully mitigated by hormone therapy or surgeries. Males are taller, heavier and have more muscle mass than females. As a result, they are typically stronger, faster and more powerful. These differences confer a significant athletic advantage.”
  2. “Allowing males to compete as females simply if they change their name or take hormones is unfair — no matter how much reassignment surgery they undergo. The uneven playing field cheats athletes and destroys dreams. Women fought long and hard for an equal chance to compete on the playing field. Those efforts deserve respect and protection.”

Hogshead-makar

Transgender Athletes in Competitive Sports

William Kwan

Torres, Lopez Frias, F. J., & Patiño, M. J. M. (2022). Beyond Physiology: Embodied Experience, Embodied Advantage, and the Inclusion of Transgender Athletes in Competitive Sport. Sport, Ethics and Philosophy, 16(1), 33–49. https://doi.org/10.1080/17511321.2020.1856915

  • The article titled “Beyond Physiology: Embodied Experience, Embodied Advantage, and the Inclusion of Transgender Athletes in Competitive Sport” explores the inclusion of transgender athletes in competitive sports from an embodied perspective. The authors argue that current discussions around the inclusion of transgender athletes in sports have mainly focused on physiological differences and advantages, while neglecting the significance of embodied experience. The article highlights the importance of recognizing the embodied experiences of transgender athletes, which can significantly affect their athletic performance. The authors suggest that including the perspectives and experiences of transgender athletes in discussions about sports policies and regulations can lead to more inclusive and fair policies. The authors also propose a framework that considers physiological and embodied factors in including transgender athletes in sports. This approach takes into account the complexity of human embodiment and recognizes the role of social, cultural, and environmental factors in shaping athletes’ embodied experiences and performance. Overall, this article provides a thought-provoking analysis of the inclusion of transgender athletes in competitive sports and highlights the importance of considering embodied experiences in these discussions.
  • The article is published in a reputable academic journal and includes a framework for considering the inclusion of transgender athletes in sports. It offers a valuable contribution to the ongoing discussions around the topic, making it a credible and useful source for researchers, policymakers, and those interested in the subject.

“Transgender athletes’ embodied experiences suggest that physiological differences are not the only factors that need to be considered when developing sports policies, as the interactions between the body, identity, and social context are critical in shaping the athletic performance of transgender athletes.”

(Torres)

“By recognizing the role of social, cultural, and environmental factors in shaping athletes’ embodied experiences and performance, our proposed framework aims to move beyond reductionist understandings of the body and enhance the inclusiveness of sports policies.”

(Torres)