I read now and then in the papers
In articles, posts and reports
Concerning the claims of trans people
Accessing elite womens’ sports.
Now don’t get me wrong at the outset
As I’m sure that my worldwide fans
Will vouch for my liberal credentials
I’ve nothing against someone trans.
Though I can’t claim to be any expert
As I’m sure that none of you can
But you don’t often hear of a woman
That wants to compete as a man.
That might be your point John but the evidence that I've shared with you indicates that all elite athletes are exploiting biological advantages of one form or another (like your example of tall high-jumpers) and being assigned male at birth doesn't necessarily have the impact that you say it does which is why I shared some examples of elite athletes in men's sports who were assigned female at birth.
There has been some interesting research over the last few years into the genes that affect athletic performance (and don't affect sex) that is worth your time reading.
The point is, Steve, that the Olympic 100m isn’t for persons with lower testosterone or oestrogen levels and for persons with higher testosterone or oestrogen levels, it’s for women and men. Otherwise a biological man who identifies as a man but who has low testosterone could compete with women. And a biological woman who identifies as a woman would be barred from competing as a woman if she had high levels as was the case of Caster Semenya, who testing has shown to be a woman with these unnaturally high levels. If this was the case perhaps we should bar tall athletes from the high jump because of their biological advantage.
You might find the following links informative, John:
https://www.cces.ca/sites/default/files/content/docs/pdf/transgenderwomenathletesandelitesport-ascientificreview-e-final.pdf
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvQNS7mACGY&ab_channel=HumanRightsCampaign
As for your last line, try an internet search for Chris Mosier, Schuyler Bailar, Ness Murby or Mack Beggs.
Thanks, MC. There was always a suspicion about the sex of the Presses even though their medical reports when they left the Ukraine as children had them both as girls. And thanks for the Like, Jennifer.
JC's most recent comment contains much sense - and yes, this oldie certainly recalls those Russian "athletes" of yesteryear.
It was surely all part of the "win at all costs" mentality of the
communist idealogy versus the imperialist West. My lasting
memory of a visit to Leningrad (as was) in the 1970s is a
Russian matchbox, with a draw that was too loose to stay in its
container and threatened to spill its contents in every direction
whenever the box was handled.
Indeed Helene. If someone wants to self-identity their sex that’s entirely fine by me. I may not agree with them but that’s up to them. But it is patently unfair for trans people to be allowed to compete with women (which is the overwhelming view of women as shown in the article). I have no objections to a separate category for trans men and women.
Older bloggers might recall that delightful pair of Russian sisters from the early 1960’s, Tamara and Irina Press, who mysteriously disappeared off the athletics scene when sex testing was introduced.
And thanks for the Like, Holden and Bethany.
I appreciate the open discussion on this issue (thanks John for the link to the thoughtful article about transwomen in women's sports), and thanks Graham for the reminder about caution in comments. My niece is a transwoman so this subject is close to my heart. She's not particularly athletic so no issue in that arena. I so appreciate people who seek to balance the competing interests (ie competing interests of fairness vs inclusion in competitive women sports; the article linked by John suggested solutions such as a separate, open category that could permit transwomen to compete.) With kindness and compassion, solutions can be found.
Thanks for the Likes, Tim and Manish.
I didn’t say don’t comment JC I was merely asking for caution.
And therein lies the problem that discussion is avoided for fear of being thought discriminatory.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/68564019
As a moderator on this site, whilst inherently there is no problem with JC's piece above, I can easily see the commentary becoming a quagmire of conflicting opinions. So please tread carefully and think before putting comments on this piece.
Timely indeed. With a hard to deny pay-off! If any "trans"
wants to believe what suits, then good luck but it is a blatant
nonsense to claim to be a woman when Old Mother Nature
sends you into this world without the equipment to facilitate
the actuality. The old tale of "The King's New Clothes" had a
child recognise and proclaim what others saw but pretended
otherwise. We are now seeing risible fiction turned into reality
by fools and charlatans. I have strong reservations about the use of "Hate crime" but this situation
seems the most appropriate to fall within that dubious category.
P.S . Police Scotland - take note from
April 1st 2024.!
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John Coopey
Thu 28th Mar 2024 07:31
It’s a poem, Steve.