Culture secretary Lucy Frazer calls for ban on trans athletes in women’s sport
News
UK Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer has urged sports organizations to adopt a definitive stance on prohibiting trans athletes from participating in elite women’s competitions.
Image Credit: Canva
During meetings this week with groups such as the Football Association (FA) and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), Frazer emphasised the responsibility these bodies owe to women athletes, ‘BBC Sport’ reports.
“It is clear today that several sports authorities are not going far or fast enough,” she said, writing in the Mail.
She added: “Sporting bodies have a duty to women competing in sport to set out clear guidance and take an unambiguous position.
“By protecting the female category, they can keep women's competitive sport safe and fair and encourage the young girls who dream of one day being elite sportswomen.
“We must get back to giving women a level playing field to compete. We need to give women a sporting chance.”
Frazer argued that these organisations should establish transparent rules and maintain unequivocal positions to ensure fairness and safety in women’s sports, thus fostering the aspirations of young girls aiming for elite levels.
“The urgency to restore equity in women’s sports is paramount. Women deserve a fair chance to compete,” she asserted.
Referencing the recently published Cass Review, Frazer highlighted the dire need for action given the review’s findings on inadequate research and weak evidence concerning medical interventions in gender care.
Frazer praised individual sports such as cycling and swimming for their progress, noting the introduction of ‘open’ categories for transgender athletes, thus preserving the ‘female’ category for participants whose birth sex is female.
“This ensures inclusivity without compromising fairness,” she commented.
Organizations like World Netball have also taken steps such as banning transgender women from international competitions due to the nature of the sport.
In recent developments, bodies governing sports like swimming, rugby, athletics, cycling, and cricket have adjusted their policies to restrict transgender women from participating in women’s categories in elite competitions, often citing fairness and safety concerns.
The FA’s policy acknowledges the legality of organising separate male and female competitions under English law, allowing individuals to apply to compete in their affirmed gender category, with decisions made considering both the safety of all players and the integrity of the sport.
Read related myGwork articles here:
Gymnastics Australia Announce Policy Change to Support Trans Athletes
Trans Pro Surfer: “Trans Athletes Are Here To Stay”
Trans Lawmakers Urge Joe Biden To Unequivocally Support Trans Student-Athletes
International Olympic Committee Updates Guidelines For Trans Athletes
Keep up to date with the latest myGnews
