World Athletics Council excludes transgender women from female events
GuardianNov 27, 2022
The Facts
On Thursday, World Athletics, the international governing body for track and field, banned transgender women athletes who have gone through male puberty from competing in female world ranking competitions beginning March 31.
The new regulations will also require athletes with Differences in Sex Development (DSD) to reduce their testosterone levels to 2.5 nanomoles per liter (nmol/L) — down from 5 — for a minimum of two years to compete in the female category.
The Spin
Right narrative
Emerging science shows trans athletes have a biological advantage over women even after lowering their testosterone levels, and regulations like these are needed to protect the integrity of sports and the women who are at risk of being left to compete for second place. It's essential to prioritize fairness over the woke ideas and political correctness that has many participating in today's rendition of the Emperor's New Clothes.
Left narrative
The World Athletics' decision is deeply discriminatory, biased, and politically motivated. Not allowing transgender athletes to follow their passions because of who they are, on the assumption that they automatically have an unfair advantage over their cisgender peers in female sporting events, violates the IOC's framework on fairness, inclusion, and non-discrimination. These regulations don't protect the integrity of women's sports — they further the policing of women's bodies.
Progressive narrative
Biological differences — along with differences in gender identity, race, culture, religion, and sexual orientation — must be accepted and celebrated. To include or exclude is a binary way of approaching a nonbinary situation. Establishing a female category — excluding anyone with performance advantage — and an "open category" — including intersex, nonbinary, and gender-fluid people — can be a fair and inclusive solution for transgender women in sports.
