Our statement on the new guidelines for transgender participation in sport published by the UK Sports Councils /1 fairplayforwomen.com/new-guidelines…
Today, the five Sports Councils have jointly published guidance on a new approach to transgender inclusion in sport, following a lengthy process in which they consulted widely with all stakeholders including Fair Play For Women /2
The independent review concluded that the inclusion of transgender people into the female sex category cannot guarantee fair and safe competition for women and girls. /3
The new guidance states “This is due to retained differences in strength, stamina and physique between the average woman compared with the average transgender woman or non-binary person recorded male at birth, with or without testosterone suppression”. /4
Dr Williams, Fair Play For Women said “It is now increasingly recognised that the existing approach to transgender inclusion in sport is out of date and no longer fit for purpose. We commend the Sports Councils for taking the lead to address this difficult and sensitive issue” /5
“This comprehensive review confirms what we all know: sex matters in sport. That’s why we have always needed a separate protected category for females, and still do.” /6
“It’s good to see all the UK’s sports councils confirming that reserving a sport category for biological females is both lawful and necessary to guarantee the fair and safe inclusion of women in sport.” /7
“This guidance puts an end to the idea that it is possible to allow people who were born male into the female sports category without women and girls paying the price.” /8
The new guidance makes clear that if a sport is sex-affected, it will now need to decide to EITHER prioritise trans inclusion OR to prioritise fair & safe competition for females. If possible, it should offer more than one version of their sport to deliver both priorities /9
Dr Williams said “We welcome the new clarity regarding science and the law, but we are disappointed that the Sports Councils have failed to give a clear signal that sport must always provide safe and fair access for women and girls”. /10
“The option for trans people to play in the sex category of their choice, despite clear evidence that this is unfair and, in some sports, unsafe for women, should have been clearly ruled out.” /11
“It cannot be right that a sport could continue to prioritise trans people’s wishes over fairness and safety for women.” /12
“The Sports Councils have put forward an option that is fair and inclusive for everyone in sport: an Open category for all alongside a fair and safe female sex category. If sports really want to be maximally inclusive, that’s what they’ll do”. /13
“We now look forward to working with sports bodies to help them refresh their approach and choose the option put forward by the Sports Councils that ensures there is a place for everyone in sport.” /end
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We asked whether they plan to remove Germany from the list of approved countries for the overseas route of gender recognition after the German Self-Determination Act comes into force on 1 November.
They said GR systems in other countries "constantly change" and it would update the "list annually".
/2
They ignored our key question about whether German applicants could now get a UK GRC without supplying medical reports. Just a copy and paste answer about annual updates /3
Breaking News: Census data on trans population downgraded by Stats Regulator. /1
“We consider that there is sufficient evidence that the gender identity question in the census has underperformed, with some groups of people being more likely than others to misunderstand the question.”
Analysis by Professor Michael Biggs showed flaws in the data triggering this investigation. Public struggled to understand a complicated question about gender identities matching sex registered at birth. Result was lots of people saying they are trans by mistake and inflating the figures /2
The ONS team in charge of designing the Census were captured by gender ideologues. Basic questionnaire design principles abandoned in favour of ideological language and motives. /3
The office of the Taiwanese ambassador, Vincent Yao, contacted us on Tuesday to express their “gravest concern” that we had chosen to “verbally attack a biological female” and asked that we “put an end to the act of spreading disinformation and harmful comments.” /3
Semi-final starts soon. Follow this thread for live updates. /1
Suwannapheng is a phenomenal female boxer. Silver medalist in World Championships last year. Will her female talent be enough to overcome the male sex advantage of her opponent? /2
“The lawyers advised to monitor the situation and to contact the IOC. IBA informed the IOC representatives about these tests, but no reaction followed from the IOC side.” /2
“At the next IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships 2023 in New Delhi, Khelif and Lin were tested following their consent again before their first fights. Blood sample collection was made on 17 March 2023. The findings were absolutely identical to the first test results.” /3