My seven-year-old daughter has been enjoying hockey for about a year now, but due to COVID-19, neither my partner nor I have had the chance to watch her play. She practices in small groups while wearing a mask, and parents are not allowed inside the facilities. However, we’ve heard from her coaches that she is a dedicated player and a wonderful teammate. Recently, thanks to a classmate, we finally got to see her in action at an outdoor ice rink. Watching her shoot, skate backward, and pass the puck with such skill was a joyous moment for me as a parent. More than just the game, what I cherish most is how sports have boosted her confidence.
As a natural athlete, she thrives on the field, even while being a bit clumsy off of it and sometimes struggling with social interactions. Sports have been great for her anxiety, providing an outlet that helps her stay focused both at home and school. Yet, there are some who worry, primarily conservatives and those with extreme beliefs, that she may be taking away opportunities from cisgender athletes.
My daughter is transgender, and the misguided fears surrounding her participation in sports claim she has an “unfair advantage” solely because of this identity. Despite a lack of any evidence showing trans girls and women dominating NCAA or Olympic sports, bills are being proposed in various states aimed at banning transgender girls and women from competing in women’s sports. For instance, House Bill 372 in Georgia seeks to prevent transgender girls from participating in school sports and even includes a requirement for a panel of doctors to examine participants’ genitals. Yes, it’s as shocking as it sounds.
Recently, Florida Representative Greg Steube introduced the “Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2021.” Their argument hinges on the idea that “biological males” shouldn’t compete against “biological females,” based on the belief that males are inherently physically superior due to testosterone levels. This viewpoint fails to recognize transgender girls as authentic girls.
Let’s dismantle their argument using their own reasoning: hormones—specifically testosterone. Gender identity differs from biological sex, meaning a transgender female (assigned male at birth) might exhibit some male traits but not necessarily all. Denying a transgender girl the right to play on a team that reflects her identity invalidates her as a girl and a woman. To claim hormones are the basis for excluding them from activities that foster friendships, reduce depression, and lower suicide rates is fundamentally flawed.
If hormones are the crux of this debate, it shouldn’t be a concern until a child reaches puberty, which typically begins around age 11. Until that point, mixed-gender competition should theoretically be fair because there are no significant testosterone differences. Factors such as coordination, practice, and interest also contribute to an athlete’s performance, but lawmakers seem to ignore those advantages.
For transgender youth, experiencing the puberty of their assigned sex can be terrifying. My daughter has no desire for her testosterone levels to rise or for the physical changes that come with male puberty. Treatments like puberty blockers provide essential support, saving lives and allowing transgender youth to flourish. These options can also prevent the need for surgeries later on.
Ironically, those seeking to ban transgender women from competing also aim to restrict transgender youth from accessing medical care. They don’t want puberty blockers or hormone therapy, yet they claim hormone levels must be equal. When transgender individuals propose solutions, they are met with rejection.
It’s also telling that the focus is rarely on transgender males. Society often views them as inferior and fails to recognize their challenges in competition, which contradicts the purported concern for protecting girls. The argument tends to prioritize the egos of cisgender males over the rights and safety of transgender individuals.
Let’s say a transgender woman has gone through male puberty. While her body may be larger than some cisgender women, this isn’t universal. Many cisgender women are more athletic, stronger, and larger than both cisgender men and women. Bodies vary, just as capabilities do. Moreover, testosterone levels differ greatly among cisgender individuals, and these variations are monitored in competition.
Denying transgender individuals the right to use restrooms aligned with their identity has never been about safety; it’s about discrimination. The same holds true for sports. It’s about transphobia, not fairness. President Biden’s administration has made it clear that they won’t entertain discriminatory views against transgender individuals.
No amount of false claims or restrictive laws can erase the truth: transgender rights are human rights. Denying our humanity undermines the very principle of equal playing fields.
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Summary
The conversation surrounding transgender athletes often centers on misconceptions about fairness and competition. The author shares personal experiences with their transgender daughter, challenging the notion that trans athletes have unfair advantages. They argue that inclusion is essential for mental health and community, and that denying transgender individuals their rights is rooted in discrimination rather than genuine concern for fairness in sports.