Putting down the hammer on the trans community, the International Cycling Union [ICU] banned from competition post-puberty transgender individuals from competing in cycling events. Representing up to 7% of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex [LGBTQQI], only 0.7% identify as transgeneders where biologic males [XY chromosome] wish to compete in female [XX] competitions. ICU said it will rename the men’s competition as “Man/Open,” something that excludes biologic XX women. To “ensure opportunities,” the ICU will ban transgender women, those will no longer be allowed to compete in female cycling events. “ From now on, female transgender athletes who have transitioned after [male] puberty will be prohibited from participating in women’s evens on the ICU international Calendar—in all categories—in the various disciplines.”
Civil rights groups defend the rights of LGBTQQI will no doubt take the ICU to court to prove that sexual identity is more than chromosomes [biology] but based on perception of sexual identity. Women’s athletics at all levels in all Olympic-type sports, run a slippery slope when it comes to banning LGBTQQI athletes from competing in a wide variety of sports when they attempt to cross over into female athletics. When it comes to male sports, there’s no argument about females attempting to compete in males sportss. When it comes to legal arguments, there’s no consensus from the LGBTQQI community because biologic females don’t cross over easily into male athletics. Biologic [XY] athletes are given an unfair advantage no matter how they’ve reduced their male sex hormones, e.g., testosterone. Transgender males typically take estrogen and testosterone-blockers in the transition period.
International sports associations have a responsibility to keep the competition on a level playing field, no matter how transgender athletes perceive themselves. Transgender athletes identify as women, not men, entitling them to compete with women in various sports competitions. Transgender athletes don’t like to her about XX or XY chromosome because it’s only one part of sexual identity. When American transgender rider Austin Killips won the Tour of Gila, ICU 2.2-registered state, she fit the criteria of under 2.5 nanomoles of testosterone per liter or less for 24 months before the competition. Transgender civil rights groups point to the low testosterone level as proof that there’s no advantage over biologic [XX] women. Transgender rights groups do not consider XX as definitive when it comes to female or male identity. Civil rights groups don’t like to hear about biologic arguments.
Transgender athletes don’t want restrictions, they want to compete as they see fit, whether or not they have an advantage over biologic females [XX]. Transgender is a state of mind, not a function of biologic science, only a perception and attitude that corresponds to female identity. “It’s certainly concerning that the nature of the discourse, the amount of energy that has gone into building this narrative would lead you to believe that there’s this massive number of trans athletes participating in sports and winning all the time . . “ said Killips, arguing that who cares, because it’s such as minute fraction of the competition. “When the reality is we’re statistically underrepresented,” Killips told the Knoxville News Sentinel. “By the number, some of us do well, a lot of us do just fine, are normal competitors,” Killips said, suggesting that biologic science doesn’t matter because the numbers are so small.
Killips wouldn’t dare consider competing in male [XY] events because her times are only competitive against women. Whether it cycling, track-and-field, swimming, etc.,biologic females don’t do well in male events. When it comes to testosterone levels, or even sexual reassignment surgery for that matter, it’s not the whole explanation why males [XY] have an unmistakable advantage over females [XX] athletes. If it were only a state of mind, the playing field would be level but it’s not. Transgender people don’t like to have their sexual identity disputed by heterosexuals, only seeking equal rights for their minute fractions of the population. Transgender represent less than one percent of the 7% LGBTQQI population, a small percent with a powerful voice arguing for equality in sports. ICU wants transgenders to know that they can no longer compete in races designed for biologic [XX] women.
Trangender athletes want to end discrimination based on the small fraction of the population. “If the rules say trans people can play, then it doesn’t matter that we can’t win,” said Killip, refusing to accept that biologic doesn’t change completely by taking hormones to reduce testosterone levels. Biologic male skeletal muscles, with or without testosterone, have more strength-and-speed to athletes whether or not they identify as male or female. Killips wants to argue that biology doesn’t matter only her perceptions or sexual identity. Transgender advocates point to research that shows that transgender, less than 1% of total LGBTQQI group, only 7% of the total U.S. population, worry that they won’t be allowed to compete in sports. State bans on transgender competing in female [XX] sports are not based on gender bias but on scientific differences between biologic males and females.
About the Author
John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He’s editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.
