The Politics of Banning Transgender Athletes in Colleges | Opinion
ban transgender women from women's competition starting Aug. 1.On one hand, anti-transgender activists argue that restricting transgender athletes is a matter of keeping biological women safe.
On the other, transgender rights defenders claim that transgender athletes must be able to compete in sports too—in a safe environment.Nevertheless, behind the rights' debate often lies power struggles under the veil of well-intentioned actions.For years, anti-transgender activists have argued that different physiologies of the sexes matter in sports.
Their lobby has been ferocious and vociferous leading this week to the NAIA to note that sport "includes some combination of strength, speed and stamina, providing competitive advantages for male student-athletes;" therefore, significant physical differences will affect the fairness of "gender-affected sports."In a nutshell, "the inclusion of trans women in female categories in most sports could not be balanced with fairness, and in some sports, safety" and in providing access to transgender athletes to competition must not "deprive natal women of the chance to take part in fair and safe sport."The inclusion agenda has been disruptive in many regards, challenging binary views and social structures around the world; yet arriving when sex/gender matters discussed for centuries remain unsolved and unsettled.
Most importantly, this movement is contesting the source of power of many traditional groups. Thus, the anti-trans rhetoric is actually a conservative campaign designed to eliminate the so-called ideology of diversity, equity, and inclusion as a way to regain influence on collegiate sports governing bodies' policies.No wonder why trans rights have long been the subject of conservative attacks and scrutiny leading to about half of U.S.
