Politics

What does “female” mean? When it comes to sports, the answer matters.

The US House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Accountability held a hearing in December on the push to rewrite the rules to guarantee transgender athletes are allowed to compete in women’s and girls’ sports. Former NCAA swimmer and now activist Riley Gaines and former Oberlin College women’s lacrosse coach Kim Russell argued that allowing fully grown, testosterone-fueled men to compete as women against women is absolutely absurd. Fatima Goss Graves, president and CEO of the National Women’s Law Center, disagreed.

There has been a push to rewrite and amend Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the federal law that states: “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any educational program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance,” so that it gives equal attention to women on campuses nationwide. Now progressives and the radical left want to include men who identify as women and women who identify as men.

The hearing was prompted after Chairwoman Lisa McClain (A Michigan Republican) and Workforce Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (a North Carolina Republican) launched an investigation into the Department of Education’s decision to alter its Title IX regulations. A Sub Committee press release states: “The lawmakers are seeking information to determine whether any external organizations played an outsized role in the development of the proposed regulations.”

Finding the Facts – Not as Easy as It Sounds

One side argued that, because athletes who were born biological males had the benefit of increased testosterone during development – which builds stronger, denser bones, larger muscles, and stronger tendons – they shouldn’t be allowed to compete with girls and women who were born biologically female no matter how they identify now. It isn’t about anyone’s feelings or about excluding people who are different, they argue, but about what’s fair and safe for the biological females.

Those on the other side, however, argue that allowing transgender people to compete in sports with the gender they identify as promotes inclusivity and team play – that it motivates people to get off the couch and play hard outside, encouraging them to be more physically active.

Arguing the case for inclusivity, Fatima Goss Graves clung to the words “women and girls,” saying she pledged her career to equality.

“Being targeted for exclusion only amplifies the risk of harm that trans, nonbinary, and intersex students disproportionately face in school. Despite a total lack of any evidence that trans-student-athletes have harmed anyone, state bans have been pushed with a false narrative of ‘protecting’ women’s and girls’ rights.”

The testimony supplied in Riley Gaines’ opening statement, however, pointed out how this can lead to girls and women feeling objectified and told to let the boy win so his feelings don’t get hurt:

“We watched as this male swam to a women’s national title, beating out the most impressive and accomplished female swimmers in the country, including Olympians and American record holders. Despite tying down to the hundredth with Thomas, I was denied the trophy because the NCAA claimed it was necessary Thomas was holding it when pictures were being taken.”

Oh, but there was more: “In addition to losing competitions to Thomas,” Gaines continued, “we also had to share a locker room and change in front of this 6’4” fully intact naked male.”

Supporting that kind of comingling in middle or high school settings will have a drastic effect on an already insecure and vulnerable age group. It disturbed Gaines enough to change her career direction to become an Independent Women’s Forum spokesperson.

Women Athletes – It’s Political

State legislators and political bodies have taken the lead in proposing and, in some cases, passing laws that keep the boys out of the girls’ lane and locker room. But a discussion needs to be had, with a clear delineation of what Title IX entails. It’s now a worldwide public relations problem – so much so that in 2021, World Athletics, World Aquatics, and the International Cycling Union had policies that barred transgender women from their women’s elite competitions unless they transitioned before puberty. The NCAA now defers to a “sport-by-sport” approach and uses the rules and regulations of a particular discipline’s national governing body.

The line between biology and politics is beyond blurred, but the reality of trans women in sports sets a dangerous precedent of erasing the milestones and popularity of the females who punched, kicked, and home-runned their way to college scholarships and respect.