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 see her play live. She practices in small groups while masked, and parents are kept out of the rinks. Fortunately, her coaches tell us she’s a dedicated player and a fantastic teammate. Thanks to a friend, we finally watched her skate at an outdoor ice rink. I was amazed to see her shoot at the goal, skate backward, and pass the puck with confidence. Her skills, although still developing, are impressive—yes, I’m biased as her parent—but the most rewarding aspect of her involvement in sports has been the boost to her self-esteem.
She thrives as an athlete and feels at home on the field, even though she sometimes struggles socially off it. Sports have been beneficial for her anxiety, providing both an outlet for energy and a way to focus better at home and school. However, some people, particularly those with conservative views, express concern that she is somehow taking opportunities away from cisgender athletes.
My daughter is transgender, and according to certain fear-mongers, she has an “unfair advantage” in sports simply because of her identity. Despite no evidence of transgender girls and women dominating in NCAA or Olympic sports, several states are attempting to enact laws banning transgender girls and women from competing in women’s sports.
Georgia is working on one such bill, House Bill 372, which would bar transgender girls from participating in school sports and involve a “panel of three physicians” to examine sports participants’ genitals to ensure no transgender girls compete. Yes, it’s as alarming as it sounds.
Florida Representative Greg Steube has introduced H.R. 426, the “Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2021.” The crux of their argument is that “biological males” should not compete with “biological females,” based on the belief that males are inherently superior due to testosterone levels. This stance ignores the reality of transgender girls being real girls.
Let’s Dismantle Their Argument
Let’s dismantle their argument using their own premise: hormones—specifically testosterone. Gender is distinct from biological sex, and while a transgender female may have characteristics associated with male puberty, this does not apply universally. Denying a transgender girl the chance to play on a team that acknowledges her gender identity is to reject her identity as a girl. Using hormones as a rationale to exclude them from activities that foster friendships and reduce mental health struggles is misguided.
If hormones are the concern, this issue should not arise until a child enters puberty. Typically, testosterone levels start to diverge between those assigned female and male at around age 11. Therefore, children of mixed genders, transgender or not, could compete on an equal footing before puberty, as there are no significant hormonal differences.
For many transgender youth, the prospect of going through puberty of their biological sex is frightening. My daughter has no interest in the physical changes that male puberty would bring and certainly doesn’t want any perceived advantages from it. Puberty blockers offer a solution, enabling transgender youth to thrive and possibly avoid future surgeries related to gender transition.
Ironically, those who advocate against transgender women in sports also seek to limit transgender youth’s access to medical care, including puberty blockers and hormone therapy.
Addressing the Inconsistencies
The focus on transgender males is also notable; they are often overlooked because they do not fit the conventional narrative of “male superiority” in sports. This inconsistency raises questions about the credibility of their arguments.
Let’s consider a transgender woman who has undergone male puberty. While she may be larger than some cisgender women, there are numerous cisgender women who exceed both cisgender men and women in strength and athleticism. All bodies are unique, and performance varies based on many factors beyond hormones.
Denying transgender women the right to compete isn’t truly about fairness or safety; it’s rooted in transphobia and a desire to marginalize. As President Biden’s press secretary Jen Psaki has articulated, the administration will not support discriminatory actions against transgender individuals.
No amount of misinformation or legal restrictions will erase the truth: transgender rights are human rights. To deny our humanity is to undermine the very principle of equal opportunity in sports.
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Summary
This article discusses the ongoing debate surrounding transgender athletes, particularly focusing on the challenges faced by transgender girls in sports. It highlights the importance of recognizing transgender rights as human rights and the misconceptions that fuel discrimination against these athletes. The message emphasizes the value of sports for youth, irrespective of gender identity, and stresses the need for equitable treatment.