Many will look at a #transgender woman’s face and height (which doesn’t change with feminising hormones) and think ‘it’s unfair’. That is an assumption. A stereotype and not based on any science. Let’s go through what the science does show... 👩🔬
Note that being #trans is not a choice, and whilst complex, gender is influenced in part by innate factors such as genes 🧬. Only ~0.5% of people in the population are trans, and only 1/3 of those are #transwomen.
A #transwoman who has had puberty blockers as a teenager and never been through male puberty, has the physiology of a woman. 🙋What about trans women who transition later after puberty❓
Feminising hormones lead to💪#muscle mass loss (our research shows ~7kg less than cis males), gain in fat mass, lower 🦴 bone density & drop in oxygen-carrying🩸red blood cells to female levels. Changes start within 3 mo & at 2 y is still continuing. However, it’s complex🤔
#Muscle mass doesn’t correlate with #strength or power and no research with adequate comparison groups examines stamina, fitness or endurance. You might have a 4WD but if the engine is small, maybe a hatchback 🚗 is better?
Media 📰about Lia Thomas ‘dominating’ US #swimming don’t report that her 500-free winning time of 4:33.24 is slower than pool record 4:30.81 by Leah Smith, defending champ Brooke Forde 4:31.34 & NCAA record 4:24.06. Men’s 500-free final times ranged 4:06.61 1st to 4:14.30 8th🏊
No data suggests #safety in #womenssport is compromised by including trans women. Wide range of heights and frames in cisgender females – and for some sports, provisions are made for this. Weight divisions in boxing or 🏈rules outlining rough play.
Trans people aren’t #exercising or playing #sport. 68% high school students 🧑🎓 participate in sport, 28% of LGB students & only 12% of trans girls participate in sport, often because of fear of #discrimination....
Yet trans people need #exercise for its physical & mental health benefits👍.Trans women have ⬆️risk of heart🫀attacks than gen population📈 73% have depression & 43% have attempted suicide. Exercise has profound benefits on physical and mental health, community & belonging 🤝
We need to break down barriers for trans people to exercise and participate. Imagine being told by your 🇦🇺PM that you don’t deserve to exist and don’t deserve to exercise (even though you’ve never been through male puberty)?
Current #sexdiscrimination act 📜 already allows for discrimination in sport where strength, stamina or physique is relevant. No sporting organisations have called for a revision. #prideinsport
Storm in a teacup? Of the last 71000 #Olympians, only two were trans women. One came last, the other 37th/42. Where to next? 🤔
We have started new research with @nir_eynon 👀feminising hormones in trans women compared to cis men + women on fitness 🚴, stamina, physique & gene 🧬 changes in 💪. With funding, we can guide policy and ensure decisions on inclusion and fairness are made on evidence.
In the meantime, let’s keep the discussion respectful 🤝 . @ACONhealth 's LGBT mental health service access rates are the highest they’ve been in 20 years. If you are feeling distressed, please reach out to your GP, support networks or 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ qlife.org.au
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