Conflicts between competing rights and privileges are a hallmark of modern liberalism. The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA)’s recent decision to outlaw transgender women from women’s competition starting August 1 is a perfect illustration of this.
On the one hand, anti-transgender activists claim that keeping cisgender women safe while restricting trans athletes is a priority. On the other hand, transgender rights advocates assert that trans athletes should have the opportunity to participate in sports as well—in a safe environment.
However, behind the rights conversation often lie power struggles under the guise of well-intentioned actions.
Anti-transgender proponents have long argued that differences in physiology between sexes impact sports. Their advocacy has been fierce and vocal, with the NAIA stating this week that sports “incorporates some combination of strength, speed, and endurance, providing competitive advantages for male student-athletes,” suggesting that significant biological differences may affect the fairness of “gender-affected sports.”
In essence, “the inclusion of transgender females in women’s categories in most athletics may not be equitable or safe and may, in some sports, compromise fairness,” and it should not “deny cisgender women the opportunity to participate in fair and safe competition.”
The inclusion agenda has disrupted traditional views and social structures worldwide, challenging binary perspectives and surfacing unresolved gender issues that have persisted for centuries. Most significantly, this movement challenges the power dynamics of many traditional groups. The anti-trans rhetoric is essentially a conservative campaign aimed at regaining control over collegiate sports governing bodies’ policies and dismantling what they perceive as the ideology of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
It’s no surprise that approximately half of the states’ efforts to ban transgender women and girls from participating in collegiate athletics have faced conservative criticism and scrutiny. Similar instances can be observed in the recent removals of two Ivy League university presidents, Liz Magill of the University of Pennsylvania, and Claudine Gay of Harvard. Ultimately, it’s a clash between the American right and left, but in a different arena. This conflict is not about enhancing societies or advancing human rights.
There’s some ambiguity in the discourse regarding alleged physical advantages transgender women may have over cisgender women. While it’s commonly believed that sports are inherently physical, they are also distinct from other competitive endeavors. Thus, a more sociological perspective is needed.
Sport categories—gender divisions in sports—have not only been a means to ensure a safe environment but also to facilitate fair development of women’s abilities and skills, allowing them to compete with their peers. In recent years, women have focused on creating safe environments that ensure equitable treatment in sports, just as in any other social aspect, in addition to addressing disparities in resources and salaries. Moreover, it’s valid that transgender individuals should compete in a fair and safe sporting environment.
Therefore, it’s essential to recognize that sports encompass more than just competition; they also serve as a vehicle for personal growth, and no one should be deprived of the opportunities they offer. Many trans individuals find sports to be an inclusive space for self-expression, yet they often encounter the same discriminatory attitudes they face in their daily lives, both on and off the field. Therefore, banning is not a solution; it exacerbates the problem. To reconcile these conflicting perspectives, we must shift the discourse from “fair and safe sports” to “fair, safe, and dignified sports.” We should adopt a human rights-based approach, especially considering those who overcome adversity to establish themselves in the sports industry. This fosters larger sporting communities instead of escalating social divisions.
The fundamental principle of sports is to demonstrate that we can be better humans, not just faster, higher, and stronger.
Dr. Cristopher Ballinas Valdés is an academic, policymaker, and former diplomat who authored Mexico’s international policy on human rights and feminist foreign policy.
The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.
