
LGBTIQ sports slam transgender and intersex athletics banLGBTIQ sports groups say the harsh new ban on transgender women and those with intersex traits participating in international athletics
by Mambaonline.com
27-03-2023 09:24
in LGBTQIA
Caster Semenya is required to artificially reduce her body's natural testosterone levels to compete Photo: Mambaonline
LGBTIQ sports groups say the harsh new ban on transgender women and those with intersex traits participating in international athletics is discriminatory and further polices women's bodies.
--
On Thursday, the World Athletics Council (WAC) - the international governing body for athletics - announced new regulations for athletes who are transgender or who have differences of sexual development , typically affecting intersex athletes.
ALSO READ: World condemns Uganda's anti-LGBTIQ bill
The new rules bar transgender women who have gone through male puberty from world rankings and world records in World Athletics competitions.
--
For those transgender athletes who medically transitioned before puberty, they must maintain testosterone levels below 2.5 nmol/L.
The regulations also require athletes with intersex variations to reduce their testosterone levels below a limit of 2.5 nmol/L for a minimum of 24 months to compete internationally in the female category in any event, not just the events that were previously restricted (400m to one mile).
ALSO READ: Uganda passes horror bill to outlaw LGBTIQ people's existence
--
This means that athletes like South African Olympian Caster Semenya will have to medically reduce their natural testosterone levels for no less than two years before being allowed to compete again.
Hudson Taylor, Director of Athlete Ally, said in a statement that he was beyond devastated to see World Athletics succumbing to political pressure instead of core principles of inclusion, fairness and non-discrimination for transgender athletes and athletes with intersex traits .
He argued that the guidelines go against inclusive guidelines from the International Olympic Committee as well as research showing that transgender women do not have an inherent advantage in sport.
ALSO READ: Amnesty urges Uganda leader to reject appalling' anti-LGBTQ bill
Impact will be felt by young athletes who are unable to pursue their athletic dreams Chris Mosier, Founder of Transathlete.com, asserted that the council's new policies do not protect the integrity of women's sports and only further policing of women's bodies .
The real impact will be felt by youth athletes around the world who are now unable to pursue their athletic dreams..
WAC claims that it has more than ten years of research and evidence of the physical advantages that female athletes with high testosterone levels bring to the female category.
It admitted, however, that there are currently no transgender athletes competing internationally in athletics and consequently no athletics-specific evidence of the impact these athletes would have on the fairness of female competition in athletics .
The council said that in these circumstances, it had decided to prioritise fairness and the integrity of the female competition before inclusion .
ALSO READ: Uganda anti-LGBTIQ bill: Museveni calls gay people deviants
It further announced it would set up a working group for 12 months to further consider the issue of transgender inclusion. As more evidence becomes available, we will review our position, but we believe the integrity of the female category in athletics is paramount, said WAC President Sebastian Coe.
Sebastian Coe states that these guidelines are an attempt to protect women's sports, said Taylor, but in fact, these guidelines do nothing to address what we know to be the actual, proven threats to women's sports: unequal pay, rampant sexual abuse and harassment, lack of women in leadership and inequities in resources for women athletes.
Mosier believes that the real impact will be felt by youth athletes around the world who are now unable to pursue their athletic dreams, and who are bombarded with messages from sports organisations and lawmakers telling them that they do not belong and don't deserve the same opportunities as their peers to experience the joy, connections, and camaraderie that comes with playing sports.
Taylor urged WAC to look at the science, to centre inclusion, and to speak directly with athletes affected by these criteria in order to develop a policy that allows all athletes access to the sport they love .
Article by Roberto Igual
This article was initially published on MAMBAonlie.com
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ARTICLES BY Mambaonline.com
How much of a rugby fanatic are you? FIVE simple answers could win you R1 000 in cash!
Africa Stories
27/05/2023
Prison life: The daily routine of an inmate at PollsmoorFawaaz Adendorff was incarcerated at Pollsmoor Correctional Centre and participated in the restorative j...
27/05/2023
Sjava and Big Zulu: Get tickets to see the Inkabi Zezwe TourA performance like no other. Get your tickets for the Inkabi Zezwe Tour to Pretoria, a Big Zulu and ...
27/05/2023
African Proverb of the day: 27 May 2023An African proverb reflects and reveals a community's culture that provides a glimpse into its value systems, beliefs...
27/05/2023
Poem of the day: The Snakes At SchoolA poem a day keeps the soul awake! For the most soulful, authentically African poetry on the internet, check out Poem of th...
26/05/2023
The River live updates: Ndumiso and Bangizwe finally get a breakthroughWhat's new on The River? Find out HERE! Stay informed on what's trending on your ...
26/05/2023
Uzalo live updates: Nkunzi's luncheon is crowded by unwanted visitorsWhat's new on Uzalo? Find out HERE! Stay informed on what's trending on your fa...
26/05/2023
Tonight on Gqeberha: Ntando's abalone smuggling mission goes wrongDon't miss tonight's episode of Gqeberha: The Empire, and watch the latest episode...
26/05/2023
Manifest' season four: Netflix drops part two trailerThe final journey is almost here! Netflix shares Manifest' season four part two trailer ahead of t...
26/05/2023
SKEEM SAAM: Tonight's episode, 26 May 2023 [VIDEO]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch all the latest episodes of Skeem Saam soapie right here...
26/05/2023
7de Laan live updates: Zee begs Werner not to tell Uys about his indiscretionWhat's new on 7de Laan? Find out HERE! Stay informed on what's trending on ...
26/05/2023
HOUSE OF ZWIDE: Episode for 26 May 2023 [VIDEO]Missed an episode of House of Zwide? No problem! Watch all the latest episodes of House of Zwide soapie right her...
26/05/2023
Skeem Saam live updates: Tongues are wagging about Ntswaki's whereaboutsWhat's new on Skeem Saam? Find out HERE! Stay informed on what's trending on...
26/05/2023
SCANDAL: Tonight's episode, 26 May 2023 [VIDEO]Missed an episode of Scandal ? No problem! Watch all the latest episodes of Scandal soapie right here. Don...
26/05/2023
House of Zwide live updates: The doctor has an update on SenzoWhat's new on House of Zwide? Find out HERE! Stay informed on what's trending on your favo...
26/05/2023
UZALO: Tonight's episode, 26 May 2023 [VIDEO]Missed an episode of uzalo? No problem! Just watch all the latest episodes of uzalo soapie right here, don'...
26/05/2023
Gomora live updates: MK reacts to Ous'Tiny's threat of a lie detectorWhat's new on Gomora? Find out HERE! Stay informed on what's trending on yo...
26/05/2023
Muvhango: Tonight's episode, 26 May 2023 [VIDEO]Missed an episode of Muvhango? No problem! Watch all the latest episodes of Muvhango soapie right here,don...
26/05/2023
Scandal live updates: Freddie opens up to RoriWhat's new on Scandal? Find out HERE! Stay informed on what's trending on your favorite television show wi...
26/05/2023
GENERATIONS: Tonight's episode, 26 May 2023 [VIDEO]Missed an episode of Generation The Legacy? No problem! Watch all the latest episodes of Generation The L...
26/05/2023
Generations - The Legacy live updates: Cosmo has come up with an idea he's s...
26/05/2023
Muvhango live updates: Gugu goes to another doctor for a second opinionWhat's new on Muvhango? Find out HERE! Stay informed on what's trending on your f...
26/05/2023
Berlin police probe Pink Floyd's Roger Waters over Nazi-style uniformRockstar and activist, Roger Waters, is under investigations by Berlin police for incit...
26/05/2023
Shaka Ilembe': Senzo Radebe discusses playing SenzangakhonaTalented actor Senzo Radede says he feels like the King Senzangakhona role in Shaka Ilembe' ...
26/05/2023
Streaming TODAY: New streaming releases on 26 May 2023Looking for something to watch tonight? Check out all the new streaming releases from all your favourite p...
26/05/2023
Tonight on House of Zwide: The doctor has an update on SenzoDon't miss out on what's happening on tonight's episode of House of Zwide and Catch the ...
26/05/2023
Tonight on Muvhango: Gugu goes to another doctor for a second opinionDon't miss out on the latest drama in Muvhango! Muvhango episodes airs on SABC2 from Mo...
26/05/2023
Tonight on Generations: Cosmo has come up with an idea he's sure Lucy will l...
26/05/2023
Tonight on Skeem Saam: Tongues are wagging about Ntswaki's whereaboutsFind out what's going on tonight on Skeem Saam!. Skeem Saam episodes airs on SABC1...
26/05/2023
Tonight on Scandal: Freddie opens up to RoriGet to know what's happening on tonight's episode!. Scandal episodes airs on e.tv Mondays to Fridays at 19h3...
26/05/2023
Tonight on Gomora: MK reacts to Ous'Tiny's threat of a lie detectorDon't miss out on what's happening on tonight's episode of Gomora, and wa...
26/05/2023
Tonight on Uzalo: Nkunzi's luncheon is crowded by unwanted visitorsDon't get left behind, catch up on Uzalo now! Episodes of Uzalo air on SABC1 from Mon...
26/05/2023
Tonight on The River: Ndumiso and Bangizwe finally get a breakthroughWatch tonight's episode of The River and catch the latest episode every weekday at 20:0...
26/05/2023
Tonight on 7de Laan: Zee begs Werner not to tell Uys about his indiscretionDon't miss out on what's happening on tonight's episode of 7de Laan and C...
26/05/2023
Backstreet Boys DNA Tour Pretoria: Unforgettable night of nostalgiaThe Backstreet Boys mesmerized local fans with electrifying performances, genuine connections...
26/05/2023
African Proverb of the day: 26 May 2023An African proverb reflects and reveals a community's culture that provides a glimpse into its value systems, beliefs...
26/05/2023
Abdellah Ta a: Morocco's first gay writer reimagines Islam, queerAbdellah Ta a is Morocco's first gay writer in history living in Paris who reimagines b...
26/05/2023
Poem of the day: See What I SeeA poem a day keeps the soul awake! For the most soulful, authentically African poetry on the internet, check out Poem of the day....
26/05/2023
Judge throws Romeo and Juliet' child nude scene lawsuitA California judge has thrown out a child abuse lawsuit over a nude scene filed by actors who played...
26/05/2023
Ancient tradition: Ethiopian quest recreation of ancient manuscriptIt's the high time for Ethiopia to preserve the ancient tradition by practicing art works...
26/05/2023
SA's largest visual arts festival to be hosted in Joburg this weekendOpenStudios.Joburg takes place in the City of Gold this weekend, bringing art aficionad...
25/05/2023
Tonight on Uzalo: Sbu says his goodbyes to HleloDon't get left behind, catch up on Uzalo now! Episodes of Uzalo air on SABC1 from Mondays to Fridays at 20h3...
25/05/2023
Tonight on Skeem Saam: Ntswaki is almost found by MeikieFind out what's going on tonight on Skeem Saam!. Skeem Saam episodes airs on SABC1 Mondays to Friday...
25/05/2023
Tonight on 7de Laan: Oppiekoffie celebrates Africa DayDon't miss out on what's happening on tonight's episode of 7de Laan and Catch the latest episo...
25/05/2023
Prison life: The daily routine of an inmateFawaaz Adendorff was incarcerated at Pollsmoor Correctional Centre and participated in the restorative justice progra...
25/05/2023
SKEEM SAAM: Tonight's episode, 25 May 2023 [VIDEO]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch all the latest episodes of Skeem Saam soapie right here...
25/05/2023
7de Laan live updates: Oppiekoffie celebrates Africa DayWhat's new on 7de Laan? Find out HERE! Stay informed on what's trending on your favorite televis...
25/05/2023
HOUSE OF ZWIDE: Episode for 25 May 2023 [VIDEO]Missed an episode of House of Zwide? No problem! Watch all the latest episodes of House of Zwide soapie right her...
25/05/2023
Skeem Saam live updates: Ntswaki is almost found by MeikieWhat's new on Skeem Saam? Find out HERE! Stay informed on what's trending on your favorite tel...
25/05/2023
SCANDAL: Tonight's episode, 25 May 2023 [VIDEO]Missed an episode of Scandal ? No problem! Watch all the latest episodes of Scandal soapie right here. Don...
25/05/2023
GOMORA: Tonight's episode, 25 May 2023 [VIDEO]Missed an episode of Gomora? No problem! Watch all the latest episodes of Gomora soapie right here,don't m...