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Transgender Athletes

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Vixx Aug 2019 8:50pm, 13 Aug 2019 719 posts	Quote Pin Vixx I don't believe that self-identified transwomen should be able to compete as female unless they meet the IOC (or whichever sport's) policy. It's completely unfair if that's the case.
ThorntonRunner Aug 2019 8:52pm, 13 Aug 2019 2,379 posts	Quote Pin ThorntonRunner I agree
The Scribbler Aug 2019 9:07pm, 13 Aug 2019 4,458 posts	Quote Pin The Scribbler Thanks Vixx and TR for your insight and honesty. I consider myself an LGBT+ ally but have not met many trans people, so I read much of this thread to better understand and be better informed.
Velociraptor Aug 2019 9:14pm, 13 Aug 2019 42,731 posts	Quote Pin Velociraptor The Western States Endurance Run has what would appear to be a reasonable compromise which respects the self-identified gender and preserves the privacy of transgender participants but will look into the gender status of top ten finishers and age category winners if there is reason to do so. wser.org It does rather assume that it's acceptable for a woman to finish third in her age category because second place has been awarded to someone who is physiologically male but identifies as female, but a line has to be drawn somewhere and "under the prizes" makes practical sense.
Vixx Aug 2019 9:30pm, 13 Aug 2019 720 posts	Quote Pin Vixx I know a lot of the US transwomen tend to get in touch with the race directors of races they wish to enter, in order to check they will be welcome.
Rosehip Aug 2019 9:31pm, 13 Aug 2019 13,261 posts	Quote Pin Rosehip Thank you Vixx and TR. I'm with Helegant and probably the majority here, that I don't really know enough to comment but have found the whole debate interesting and very informative (as well as frustrating and sad at times) I can understand the feeling of unfairness that comes from transwomen competing and feel it's a shame that there has been some intolerance from more than one direction. -To reply to something V'rap said: unfortunately, I have seen one case of a child being coerced towards transition by a parent - for weird convoluted "kudos/attention-seeking" reasons. Thankfully it was picked up as such and safeguarding systems came in to play etc. However, I also know of two children who have been supported in their belief that they were born in the "wrong-sex body" and have seen them blossom as they have found acceptance and understanding and support. I am glad that they were able to express that from a fairly young age and were listened to. Not 50 years ( maybe not even 20) that would have not been the case. If I have these encounters in a fairly short timeframe in a small town, then the numbers involved are much greater than maybe one would expect? I hope that the preservation of fairness for all can keep pace with changes of acceptance, but it does feel like that will be difficult.
Jovi Runner Aug 2019 12:29am, 14 Aug 2019 6,456 posts	Quote Pin Jovi Runner That western states info is interesting. Why would a female- male athlete choose to enter as a female?
Vixx Aug 2019 10:00am, 14 Aug 2019 721 posts	Quote Pin Vixx Transmen probably wouldn't enter as female as they'd want to be competing against the men. Reading the policy it looks like WSER are covering their bum. I entered as male as soon as I could, despite not being on hormones. I did get a lot of funny looks in some races but wouldn't change it.
Velociraptor Aug 2019 10:15am, 14 Aug 2019 42,740 posts	Quote Pin Velociraptor I agree, Vixx. It's important to (be seen to) cover the largely theoretical risk that a female-to-male transgender athlete whose hormone treatment is well under way but whose documentation hasn't been amended yet might see a prize money opportunity and enter as female.
Jovi Runner Aug 2019 11:30am, 14 Aug 2019 6,457 posts	Quote Pin Jovi Runner The only issue with having a policy that a M-F has to have undergone medically supervised hormone therapy does not address issues whereby the athletel may still have a testosterone level way higher than they would be permitted to have if competing under IOC rules (would they be the same as WADA rules?). Unless I've not read it correctly and they are saying they would test for testosterone levels as well?