Quote:
Originally Posted by cheevers
The thing with transgender women in sport is that there may be an argument for or against competing against biological woman in high level sport. But there is no point in having the conversation with people do not care about women's sports, do not support women's sports, and are against women in general. For most it is just a chance to be a bigot, and hate against transgender people in an open, socially acceptable way.
By all means have a conversation about transgender women in sport, but it is one that should take place with the high level athletes who it actually effects.
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At the lowest level of sport, things are already co-ed. My son at 16 just took an introduction to rugby course. It was two dudes and three girls all about the same age.
When my kids were in Timbits soccer it was co-ed.
There isn't an issue in low level sports.
It doesn't take long for sports to become highly competitive, though. I have a couple of friends who basically devote their lives to accommodating their kids' sports. I think when you're putting that much time, effort and money into an activity things certainly need to be fair.
I'm not opposed to the government assisting on this. People are very concerned about appearing to be anti-trans or questioning whether or not we can put any restrictions on trans athletes. I understand. The government could take the heat on this and I'm fine with removing community volunteers and such who are trying to navigate this stuff from being caught in the middle of bigots and wokers.
I think if we take a step back from trans issues as they relate to sports, though, we are greater allies to the trans community by giving in on the sports thing and disallowing trans women from competing with CIS women. I truly believe it does disarm what - for conservatives/bigots - is a mountain they have made out of a molehill. Take that talking point away from them and they really don't have a lot left to say that isn't blatantly ridiculous. We can always circle back to it, but let's focus on every single other issue as they relate to trans rights and concede this one itsy bitsy thing to give them a victory and let them know that we are looking at things rationally.
For the record I don't care about women's sports and I don't care about men's sports either. I do care about LGBTQ+ rights and equality, and I think acknowledging trans women competing with CIS females is problematic works toward helping the community short and medium term.