Transgender Women in Competitive Sports

‘Transgender’ is used to describe individuals whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth. It has a diverse range of individuals whose gender identity may be male, female, or non-binary. Transgender individuals might undergo medical treatments, such as hormone therapy or gender-affirming surgeries, to align their physical appearance with their gender identity.

The question of transgender individuals participating in competitive sports tournaments is a complex topic. It is important to consider principles of fairness, inclusivity, and ensuring a level playing field for all competitors. Many sports organizations and governors have developed policies and guidelines to address this issue, taking into account factors such as hormone levels, physical advantages, and the specific sport in question. These policies aim to strike a balance between inclusivity and maintaining fair competition. They often involve criteria such as hormone levels and specific timeframes for hormone therapy. It is crucial to consult and follow the guidelines set by relevant sports organizations to ensure fairness and inclusivity for all participants, including transgender individuals.

During the 2023 CPU women’s division, trans female weightlifter Anne Andres set a new record of 597.5kg in the bench press, deadlift and squat events, combined. Her new record crushed the next best competitor by over 200kg. After her victory, Andres made a video stating that women’s weightlifting was “so bad.” This has remained a very controversial situation because, as stated before, trans women sometimes have an upper hand in competitive sports if they’d already biologically developed as a male. Some believe that trans women should be banned from weightlifting, while others believe it’s a big step for the transgender community.

In conclusion, we believe that transgender women should not be allowed to participate in competitive sports tournaments where they may have an upper hand. We think this in large part because of the years and years of work women have put into their sports.