As more sports reveal that they are banning transgender athletes from competing in women’s categories, the UK’s Culture Secretary has issued governing bodies a stern message.
Culture Secretary’s Call
The Culture Secretary has made a public appeal to sporting organisations regarding the participation of transgender athletes.
A Subject of Debate
The subject has been a source of debate for many years with different sports having various attitudes towards their participation.
An “Open” Category
In some sports, transgender athletes are completely banned from competing professionally, however, in sports such as cycling and swimming, they can compete in an “Open” category.
Speaking out About Transgender Athletes
The Culture Secretary, Luzy Frazer, insisted that transgender athletes should not be competing in women’s sports on a professional level due to an unfair advantage.
“Biology Matters”
In an opinion editorial she wrote in the Daily Mail, Frazer put forward the argument that “biology matters” in professional sporting environments.
Frazer’s Open Letter
Frazer wrote a letter to different sporting bodies across the UK, encouraging them to ban athletes who have received any form of hormone therapy.
A Sensitive Topic
Frazer argued that until now, the debate surrounding transgender athletes was too sensitive to make a decision on, which is why she has now written the letter.
“Too Loaded to Touch”
According to Frazer, “For years it was too loaded an issue to touch, despite the fact that it has the potential to make women’s playing fields far from level.”
Urging Sporting Bodies for Change
Frazer went on to say in the piece that she wrote the letter to “key sporting organisations, like the England and Wales Cricket Board and Football Association” encouraging them to change.
Other Sports for Guidance
Frazer argued that she wanted the sporting governing bodies to follow in the footsteps of other sports that don’t support transgender athletes competing in women’s divisions.
Frazer Urges Sports Not to Allow Transgender Athletes
Frazer said she wanted to “encourage them to follow the lead of other sports in not allowing trans athletes to compete against women at the elite level.”
Governing Bodies “Duty”
According to Frazer, the sporting governing bodies have a “duty to women competing in sport to set out clear guidance and take an unambiguous position.”
Men Containing a Physical Advantage
The piece went on to talk about the differences in male and female strength capabilities, arguing that men have a sporting advantage and should not enter the realm of women’s sports.
Frazer Urges Not to Ignore Men’s Physical Advantage
“In competitive sport, biology matters,” Frazer insisted before arguing that the sporting advantage that men have against women “should not be ignored.”
Affecting the Goals of Women Athletes
Frazer also talked about how many girls dream of winning competitions in their chosen sports, arguing that transgender athletes threaten those dreams.
Keeping Women’s Sports “Safe and Fair”
“By protecting the female category, they can keep women’s competitive sport safe and fair,” Frazer said in the piece.
Message to Governing Bodies
Frazer spoke about how sporting governing bodies should be encouraging “the young girls who dream of one day being elite sportswomen.”
Advocating for an “Open” Category
Frazer advocated for an “Open” category in sports so that athletes can compete knowing they face an advantage or disadvantage.
Protecting Women’s Sports?
Frazer insisted that the introduction of an “Open” category in sports means that women won’t fear being disadvantaged while “nobody experiences an unfair advantage.”
Frazer’s Hardline Stance to Cause a Stir
Frazer’s hardline stance on transgender athletes will no doubt cause some debate over the coming months, with many disagreeing with the ideas.
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The post Banning Transgender Athletes: Culture Secretary’s Stern Warning to Sporting Bodies first appeared on Edge Media.
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Oscar Davies, an expert in US and UK politics and sports, is renowned for his sharp and engaging writing style, appealing to a broad spectrum of readers.