Posted on Mar 2, 2022
Transgender kids testify against Missouri bill banning them from sports: ‘They’re playing for fun...
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Supporters of the bill argued that allowing transgender athletes to play puts cisgender women at a disadvantage. Transgender kids and their parents said participating in team sports is about more than winning.
The Missouri Senate Education Committee heard testimony on Tuesday on a bill that would bar transgender women from participating in sports teams that match their gender identity.
The bill, sponsored by Sen. Mike Moon, a Republican from Ash Grove, is called the “Save Women’s Sports Act.” It would prohibit students who were assigned male at birth from participating in middle school, high school and post-secondary teams for women or girls.
Avery Jackson, a 14-year-old from Kansas City, told the committee that transgender kids like her should be able to play sports without the issue becoming politicized.
The Missouri Senate Education Committee heard testimony on Tuesday on a bill that would bar transgender women from participating in sports teams that match their gender identity.
The bill, sponsored by Sen. Mike Moon, a Republican from Ash Grove, is called the “Save Women’s Sports Act.” It would prohibit students who were assigned male at birth from participating in middle school, high school and post-secondary teams for women or girls.
Avery Jackson, a 14-year-old from Kansas City, told the committee that transgender kids like her should be able to play sports without the issue becoming politicized.
Transgender kids testify against Missouri bill banning them from sports: ‘They’re playing for fun...
Posted from kcur.org
Children
Transgender
LGBTQ+
Gender
Posted 3 y ago
Responses: 4
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel not sure how this one should play out. On the one hand children need the interaction that sports brings. Then I can also see that some trans girls might have an unfair advantage. I don't think this is something that will be resolved in the short term.
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
PO2 Russell "Russ" Lincoln Unfortunately I Suspect You are Correct. We Haven't advanced as Much as We Would Like to Think.
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No one is telling these kids they can't play sports. No one.
They are saying girls who were born boys have to play on the boys team.
Now comes the argument that this puts them at a competitive disadvantage - to which the argument that it is about more than winning can be sent right back.
A trans girl who can't make the cut on a boys team loses the opportunity to participate. This is true. But a trans girl with a competitive (read: unfair) advantage who participates on a girl's team then prevents a cisgender girl from getting that slot, and THAT girl loses the chance to participate.
That is the big problem I have with all of this. If we are talking "club" teams where everyone can participate (i.e. no roster limits) and everyone plays, sure, fine. Go right ahead. But if it is a team where there are roster limits and playing time matters, then allowing that trans girl a spot removes a spot from a cis girl. And every minute she gets on the field/court/rink/etc. is a minute taken away from a cis girl.
And it's not about "us vs. them" or "unnatural" or "freaks" or ANYTHING like that. At least not for me. Trans girls have a competitive advantage. Using that to supplant a cis girl is unfair. And trans girls CAN play on the boys teams. So if they are THAT passionate about their sport, they can go tryout for the boys team. Nothing is stopping them.
Personally, if a trans person has gone all the way, has had gender reassignment surgery, has taken the hormones so that their hormone levels are in line with their preferred gender, then absolutely they can and should compete as that gender. But until that time, compete as the gender that your body (internally and externally) reflects.
They are saying girls who were born boys have to play on the boys team.
Now comes the argument that this puts them at a competitive disadvantage - to which the argument that it is about more than winning can be sent right back.
A trans girl who can't make the cut on a boys team loses the opportunity to participate. This is true. But a trans girl with a competitive (read: unfair) advantage who participates on a girl's team then prevents a cisgender girl from getting that slot, and THAT girl loses the chance to participate.
That is the big problem I have with all of this. If we are talking "club" teams where everyone can participate (i.e. no roster limits) and everyone plays, sure, fine. Go right ahead. But if it is a team where there are roster limits and playing time matters, then allowing that trans girl a spot removes a spot from a cis girl. And every minute she gets on the field/court/rink/etc. is a minute taken away from a cis girl.
And it's not about "us vs. them" or "unnatural" or "freaks" or ANYTHING like that. At least not for me. Trans girls have a competitive advantage. Using that to supplant a cis girl is unfair. And trans girls CAN play on the boys teams. So if they are THAT passionate about their sport, they can go tryout for the boys team. Nothing is stopping them.
Personally, if a trans person has gone all the way, has had gender reassignment surgery, has taken the hormones so that their hormone levels are in line with their preferred gender, then absolutely they can and should compete as that gender. But until that time, compete as the gender that your body (internally and externally) reflects.
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SFC Casey O'Mally
SGT (Join to see) - Testosterone is not a performance enhancing hormone? Really? Better tell pretty much EVERY DOPING AGENCY in the world, then.
Testosterone is widely recognized by every reputable sports association as providing a competitive advantage in physical endeavours, such as most sports. Trans girls and trans women who have male testosterone levels have a competitive advantage. Even those who have begun transition but still have elevated testosterone levels, even if not at "normal male levels," have a competitive advantage. This advantage tapers off over time, but is still present even months after achieving "normal female levels" of testosterone (and estrogen).
If you really want to deny this, then there is no point in discussing, as you simply don't accept reality.
Testosterone is widely recognized by every reputable sports association as providing a competitive advantage in physical endeavours, such as most sports. Trans girls and trans women who have male testosterone levels have a competitive advantage. Even those who have begun transition but still have elevated testosterone levels, even if not at "normal male levels," have a competitive advantage. This advantage tapers off over time, but is still present even months after achieving "normal female levels" of testosterone (and estrogen).
If you really want to deny this, then there is no point in discussing, as you simply don't accept reality.
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