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Original poster

Thankyou Laurel Hubbard

142 replies

ferretface · 24/06/2021 16:38

I am active on a sports related site where there is currently a lively debate on trans inclusion in sport thanks to Ms. Hubbard and the IOC rules which allow her participation.

I think it's the first time I've felt safe to put my views on the importance of sex based categories in sports to my actual name (the site is largely full of reasonable and respectful people, even if there is a lively debate). Even more hearteningly I'm watching the scales drop from some people's eyes as the debate progresses. Once you see the problem, you can't unsee it.

So thankyou, Laurel Hubbard. Just sorry that the Olympic dreams of a young woman in her 20s had to be dashed to give you your spot and give this issue the visibility that will lead to change.

OP posts:
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Babdoc · 24/06/2021 17:34

Ihopeyourcakeisshit, the reduction in testosterone is irrelevant.
Males do not shrink their broad shoulder girdle, widen their pelvis, reduce their lung volume and cardiac output, reduce their oxygen carrying capacity or proportion of fast twitch muscle fibres, however low their testosterone. They retain a totally unfair advantage over female competitors- which is why they should never be allowed into women’s sport.

FemaleAndLearning · 24/06/2021 17:30

I heard Nicola Williams from Fair Play for Women state that Hubbard had a broken arm last year so absolutely unheard of to compete in weightlifting after that, unless you are a male in the female category.

Ihopeyourcakeisshit · 24/06/2021 17:23

Apologies if this has already been covered somewhere else but could someone explain the testosterone rules to me?

toffeebutterpopcorn · 24/06/2021 17:23

I’ve had people comment on it to me - the same people who were rolling their eyes and saying ‘these things don’t happen’ not that long ago. And they are proper pissed about it.

viques · 24/06/2021 17:22

@nauticant

It's like people's mental picture of a trans person being a particular teenage transgirl having a high media profile is being replaced with one of Laurel Hubbard.

When it comes to Laurel Hubbard, the meaning of "trans" starts to look very different.

So true, from swishy haired, beautifully made up, soft voiced instagrammers to reality. Clearly some people missed the Pip Bunce and Karen White discussions, but Laurel has really made people sit up and think.
Ozanj · 24/06/2021 17:22

I’m glad it’s come out into the open. Hopefully it makes the IOC think.

ditalini · 24/06/2021 17:21

It's interesting - assuming any forward thought or planning went into this at all, Laurel is either a genius or epic-fail of a "first".

If they can get acceptance for Laurel, with the obvious physical advantages (and I'm sorry because it shouldn't be necessary to comment on someone's physical appearance but here we are), and minor external evidence of "transition", then acceptance is surely there for the taking for everyone.

Alternatively, the IOC have their head in their hands and are cursing NZ for all the sunlight that's pouring in.

toffeebutterpopcorn · 24/06/2021 17:16

I get why NZ is doing this - but I would never have pegged them for that sort of gamesmen/women. It’s just not cricket etc...

nauticant · 24/06/2021 17:16

Weren't people saying here years ago that the next big leap in awareness would be sport rather than anything else, for the simple reason that men would sit up, pay attention, and then start saying "hang on, that doesn't look fair to me".

nauticant · 24/06/2021 17:14

It's like people's mental picture of a trans person being a particular teenage transgirl having a high media profile is being replaced with one of Laurel Hubbard.

When it comes to Laurel Hubbard, the meaning of "trans" starts to look very different.

Original poster
ferretface · 24/06/2021 17:10

"Disappointing it wasn't the idea of women's safety in prisons, refuges and medical settings that triggered a discussion instead of losing sport places and medals."

Extremely true. I think it's something about the visibility of this particular issue and the Olympics, which in itself is sad and says a lot about our priorities as a society.

OP posts:
WinterIsGone · 24/06/2021 17:05

The main thread has gone?!
Isn't this the main thread?
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/4277568-Laurel-Hubbard-is-the-beginning-of-the-end-of-women-s-sports

Disappointing it wasn't the idea of women's safety in prisons, refuges and medical settings that triggered a discussion instead of losing sport places and medals.
So true.

McPancreas · 24/06/2021 17:02

TRA twitter went relatively quiet when this news went viral - it is logically indefensible and you have to be a true TWAW fundamentalist to think it is wonderful.

Disappointing it wasn't the idea of women's safety in prisons, refuges and medical settings that triggered a discussion instead of losing sport places and medals.

Original poster
ferretface · 24/06/2021 17:00

True, it's the IOC who have enabled this madness, Laurel is just acting within the rules, unethical though they may be.

OP posts:
Fromage · 24/06/2021 16:54

Thank you, the IOC.

Your batshit definition of 'female' and 'woman' and your wacky kerraaaayzee rules over who is allowed how much testosterone, are about to ping back onto your stupid weaselly faces. In the manner of an egg, via catapult.

Absolutely gutting for the sportswoman whose place was given to Hubbard.

McDuffy · 24/06/2021 16:46

The main thread has gone?! Angry

Whinginadeville · 24/06/2021 16:44

Agreed but I can't bring myself to thank a cheat so I'll thank the NZ officials