Transgender Athletes: The Matter of Competition

Introduction

Athletes come in all different forms, from big to small, white to black, and it is something that makes sports special. In recent years there has been a new group of athletes arise to the playing field, transgender athletes. It has not been an easy change to the sports world, allowing these athletes to play alongside them. Much discussion has been whether these athletes should compete with their sex or gender identity. Competing with their sex would make a MTF compete as a male, while competing as their gender a MTF could compete as a Female. As the number of transgender athletes grow in size a more definite answer must come to the surface. Some athletes grow uncomfortable with them in the locker rooms, or say trans athletes have an unfair advantage. Transgender athletes would be at a disadvantage if they were made compete with their natural born sex if the steps to gain or suppress testosterone started. Not only will they be singled out they will become fearful of ever competing in sports again. Although men and women sports are very different it still makes more sense to compete with their gender rather than sex. Transgender athletes have earned the right to prove themselves competing with the gender they now identify with, as it makes things more even than competing with their sex.

Acceptance & Equality: Rights of Transgender Athletes

The first reason trans athletes should compete with their gender rather than sex is because it will help change the lives of all transgenders. The United States in particular has never been fond of change, this is where sports come in and become the gateway for change. Just as Jackie Robinson did in the sports of baseball for Afrian Americans, the same could be done for transgender atheletes. If the sports world isn’t willing to accept an athlete for the gender they identify with the outside world won’t either. By allowing transgender athelets to compete with their gender it will show they are accepted in the world. This will also show others that it is acceptable to be who you want to and be able to do things that you love. It is not fair to keep this group of athletes back from being and doing what they want. The world has come much too far to fall back into not letting people participate because of how they were born. All around it make the most sense to let them compete with their gender rather than sex. It benefits all transgenders and show them that they can also reach for their dreams without the fear of being left out because of who they are.

Many studies have been set forth to help transgender athelets compete with their gender. This will not only allow them to fit in more but keep the competition more fair. One article talks about how certain rules help keep the game fair for all athletes stating “the NCAA has certain rules for trans athletes, trans men are allowed to compete on either type of team without treatment being started, trans women must compete in the men's sports unless they are taking testosterone suppression, but they must be on that for a year before competing”(Gayles). This tells how trans women must sit out in order to compete with their gender but also serves as a way of fairness in the playing field. Trans men are not required to sit out at any point, but most are still on something that will help boost their testosterone which put them at a more competitive level with the men. These studies further the growth in equal play for transgender athelets.

Fairness & Inclusion: Supporting Transgender Athletes

Having change in anything always brings potential issues. Some that may arise include men being frustrated getting beat by women, and discrimination trans athelets could face along the way (Gleaves). Everyone has heard the phrase “nothing comes easy” and that reins true with transgenders. Undoubtly they will face some form of discrimination along their path, sadly that has always been a way of the world, however no change can be made unless someone steps up to the challange. With most changes in sports dealing with race has come with its fair share of discrimination, and it ultimately got better and made sports a more entertaining place. The same idea could be argued with gender, although it is not a change people want to see it could be one that is in everyone’s benefit. From a man's aspect getting beat by a women will only be a phase that must get past. Competing as their gender rather than sex takes that out of the way. It will be a woman who has now changed into a man, and that will just have to be understood rather than give excuses for why they should not be allowed to compete. Most trans men or FTM have an easier route to playing sports white trans women or MTF get a red flag (Kamasz). This shows how although both get discriminated against, it is worse for the trans women. This is unfair especially if the women have been on the suppression for the required time. Yet another issue that could come to the surface is the locker room issues. Reasonably it may be alot to put on a group having someone who was once the other sex now share a locker room with them. This could be an easy fix by placing a special place to change for anyone who may be uncomfortable. This will still allow them to share a locker room without being separated, and still having a place to change or anything else that is necessary.

Next, trans athletes competing with their gender will make them more comfortable with who they are. It will make these athletes more willing to come and compete in all aspects of sports. Along with that it helps them identify better with their gender rather than being left out. When they can be comfortable with who they are it makes sports much easier to play and gives them a chance to show kids in the same boat they can be comfortable with themselves as well. All around this will make the sports a much more enjoyable place for transgenders to get away. Another benefit of making these athletes comfortable is it will give them the courage to speak out on their journey and the challenges they faced getting to the place they are in now. This will help show that anyone can be comfortable playing sports and will help give the athletic world a much better reputation. There is no wrong that could be done in gaining a better reputation no matter who the reputation is coming from.

Debate on Transgender Athletes

Looking at the other aspect of trans athelets competing with their sex is outright unfair for all sides. If this were to be done, trans men would be at a huge athletic advantage playing against women. The only way for it to be fair would not be allowing them to boost testosterone, which also does not let them evolve into the image they want to be. Trans women would be at a disadvantage if they were made to compete against men. The only way they could maintain up to the challenge to compete would be not suppressing their testosterone. This would also not allow them to form into the image they want to be. Comepeing with their natural sex not only brings many disadvantages, it also tells someone they can not be who they want to be. If trans athletes were forced to compete with their sex it would also cause a much unneeded uproar. Trans men would have to deal with many threats from sports fans that would try to ban them considering they would be at so much of an advantage. It serves as unsafe for both parties in this circumstance.

Conclusion

In conclusion, transgender athelets should compete with their gender identity rather than their natural born sex. This will not only be steps in growing the future for all transgenders, but will make all parts of the sports equal to all who play. Competing with their sex would be unfair and in one way or another someone would be put at a disadvantage. This will also help them feel more comfortable with who they are, and the game will come to them easier this way. There is no place for discrimination in sports or any place for that matter, and forcing them to compete with a sex they do not classify with is discrimanting. There have been studies that show it is possible to boost or suppress testosterone to where transgender athelets could compete with their gender identity. If all rules are followed when doing this there is no reason why they should not be given the opportunity to prove this is the best way of doing things. Change is a hard thing to deal with but in the world we are in today it is always happening. It is time to accept the change and allow transgender athelets to compete with their gender identity.    

Works Cited

1. Gayles, Ryan. 'NCAA Rules for Transgender Athletes.' SportsRec, 18 May 2022, www.sportsrec.com/ncaa-rules-transgender-athletes-5233281.html.
2. Gleaves, John. 'Discrimination and Challenges Faced by Trans Athletes.' Journal of Sport and Social Issues, vol. 46, no. 3, 2022, pp. 218-234.
3. Kamasz, Allison. 'Navigating Gender Identity in Sports: Challenges and Perspectives.' International Journal of Sport Communication, vol. 15, no. 4, 2022, pp. 315-331.