[photon]

"Unfair competition" seems like a loaded phrase in this context, a definition of unfair that doesn't involve competitors being trans would be necessary otherwise it's circular reasoning isn't it? The proper definition of fair/unfair would need to be more general.

All competition is unfair depending on how you look at it. Genetic advantages (height, weight, body structure, VO2 max) mean that some people are just going to be precluded from winning no matter how hard they work. Or being born with the mental capability to focus and persevere beyond what typical people can? Is winning a genetic lottery then leveraging that to be the best "fair"? Or is being born into a situation where that's possible (being able to earn a living doing a sport full time or be supported by donors / family or being able to afford the best coaches / facilities / equipment that enables higher performance) "fair"?

We've decided that yes those competitive advantages are fair.

But if you state that trans women are women, then doesn't that just mean that some trans women just are part of the category of having a genetic advantage, something we've already decided is "fair"? Deciding it's unfair in that specific case fells like a "equal but separate" situation. Which now to me doesn't feel fair.

But if they are excluded is that different than others that are excluded for reasons beyond their control (genetics, money, etc)? It feels different.

I don't know what's "right", or what the rules of society should be.. it just feels like there are no good options and no matter one it's going to be unfair to someone. So then do you go with the option that harms the fewest people? Or go with the option that is more inclusive (i.e. better for the kind of society we want to be)?