Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson says he does not believe transgender women should compete in female sporting events – a view he conceded may be “controversial”.
The issue of transgender athletes – centred around the balance of inclusion, sporting fairness and safety in women’s sport – has recently focused on the case of transgender cyclist Emily Bridges.
Bridges was recently ruled ineligible to compete in her first elite women’s race by cycling’s world governing body.
Johnson was speaking on a range of issues, including the government’s approach to the ban on so-called conversion therapy, before adding: “I don’t think biological males should be competing in female sporting events. Maybe that’s a controversial thing to say, but it just seems to me to be sensible.
“I also happen to think that women should have spaces – whether it’s in hospitals, prison or changing rooms – which are dedicated to women. That’s as far as my thinking has developed on this issue.
“If that puts me in conflict with some others, then we have got to work it all out. It doesn’t mean I’m not immensely sympathetic to people who want to change gender, to transition and it’s vital we give people the maximum love and support in making those decisions.
“These are complex issues and they can’t be solved with one swift, easy piece of legislation. It takes a lot of thought to get this right.”
In response to Johnson’s comments, LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall said: “Trans people deserve the same opportunities as everyone else to enjoy the benefits of sport and blanket exclusions on trans people participating are fundamentally unfair.
“This is a complex and fast-evolving issue and much of the science doesn’t yet exist in this area.
“Inclusion policies need to be considered on a sport by sport basis and it’s vital to avoid using inflammatory rhetoric, which often causes trans people to stop playing the sports they love.”
Stonewall said that although elite sport “often dominates these discussions”, transgender people are also “underrepresented in community sport” where they “often feel excluded”.
The organisation added: “Sport has the unique power to bring us together and it’s important trans people have the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of sport without facing exclusion or abuse.”
Female athletes ‘were ready to boycott’
Johnson’s comments came as a letter signed by a group of elite female cyclists – including retired Olympians, scientists and researchers – called on cycling’s world governing body, the UCI, to “rescind” its rules around transgender participation and testosterone levels and implement eligibility criteria for women “based on female biological characteristics”.
The letter – referring to the Bridges situation – said there was “deep regret” at the “crisis situation”, claiming female athletes in the UK “have shown you they were willing to boycott” in order for the UCI and British Cycling “to hear their concerns about fairness in their sport”.
The letter included the signature of Sara Symington, head of Olympic and Paralympic programmes at British Cycling. It states:
- The group says current transgender rules should be “rescinded” unless the UCI can provide “robust scientific evidence that the rules guarantee fairness for female athletes”
- Lower testosterone levels “cannot sufficiently mitigate all male sport advantage”
- Current rules are “asymmetric” and “discriminatory” and UCI needs to “better involve” the “independent voice of elite female athletes”
In response, British Cycling said: “We understand that this is an important issue for our staff and riders, which is why we have worked hard to provide forums for them to openly share their views on our policy and transgender inclusion more widely.
“These discussions are an important part of our commitment to learn and understand more about how the sport sector can achieve fairness in a way that maintains the dignity and respect of all athletes.”
In the aftermath of being prevented from competing in her first female race as a transgender woman, Bridges released a statement saying she felt “harassed and demonised” and had “little clarity” on her eligibility.
“I am an athlete and I just want to race competitively again. I hope they will reconsider their decision in line with the regulations,” she said.
“I’ve been relentlessly harassed and demonised by those who have a specific agenda to push.
“They attack anything that isn’t the norm. This is without care for the wellbeing of individuals or marginalised groups.”
Bridges says her privacy has also been “totally violated” and she has received “targeted abuse” on social media.
According to Cycling Weekly, Bridges has been participating in a study at Loughborough University to track her own power data with reduced testosterone levels – and says they show a 13-16% drop in her power outputs across different durations.
Bridges also says she has received a mixed response on speaking publicly about her transition, but added that many female cyclists have sent messages of support.
BBC