The LGBTQ Resource Center is proud to announce Trans Week of Liberation (TWoL) as its annual celebration. On Sunday, March 31 during International Trans Day of Visibility. The year honors and applauds transgender people’s resilience, contributions, and diversity on a global scale.
Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer has told Sky News that the Football Association should take into account banning transgender women from playing women’s basketball in order to eliminate any “unfair” competitive edge.
The FA has been looking at the policy, trying to balance being fair and safe while also being inclusive.
Players who are older than 16 and given a male birth certificate must demonstrate that their blood testosterone levels are “within the natal female range for an adequate length of time” in order to minimize any potential advantages.
Monthly investigations are required.
But Ms. Frazer told Sky News: “I think it’s really important that people are able to compete against people and there’s no inherent advantage, that if you’re not biologically a woman, you have a competitive edge.
And I believe that many sports have carefully considered this and decided that it’s inappropriate to include individuals competing against people who are not biologically women.
“We’ve seen that in sailing. We’ve seen that in rowing. And I do advise different sports organizations to take that into account.
According to the FA’s current transgender policy, “gender identity should not be a barrier to participation in soccer,” but eligibility is determined on a case-by-case basis.
If the change to sport governance is approved by parliament, Ms. Frazer was discussing the transgender policy in light of possible adjustments for the football regulation to address.
When asked if she was suggesting that football should follow other sports that have made it only women who are born female, Ms. Frazer responded, “I would encourage competitive sport to take this very seriously.”
Decisions pending
The FA’s chief executive, Mark Bullingham, said earlier this month that they were waiting on global basketball authorities to decide on any changes to the policy.
Mr. Bullingham said: “We’ve had a policy that’s been in place for some time. In response to that, we have made some adjustments.
“But we are also waiting for UEFA and FIFA to come up with a firm stance before we make any further modifications.”
FIFA said it has an internal working group exploring the issue, calling it a “work in progress”.
“Our current trans policy has been in place for ten years, and it has enabled a relatively small population of transgender women to enjoy playing soccer in the women’s game,” according to a spokesperson for the FA.
“Our review continues as we monitor and support the effective application of our policy because this is a complex and continually evolving area.
“We will continue to learn and consult with our stakeholders, including engaging with FIFA and UEFA, who are overseeing their own consultation process, as well as the other Home Nations.”
‘Complex issue’
Mattias Grafstrom, the interim secretary general of FIFA, said, “We want the environment to be inclusive and safe. This is the top priority in everything. So that’s our goal.
“But considering all of the conditions of this particular subject, which is complex.”
World Athletics next season decided to prioritize fairness over inclusion by forbidding individuals from competing in female world rankings competitions.
The International Cricket Council made a change to its policy last month, making it mandatory for male-to-female players to play in the global women’s game regardless of any surgery or gender reassignment treatment they may have undergone.
Ms. Frazer’s assistant, Stuart Andrew, said in a separate interview that they are meeting the national governing bodies from all sports “very quickly” to discuss the matter.
