British Cycling have released their transgender policy

MrGHardy · 28/01/2022 21:24

"inclusive" is such disgusting, manipulative trash.

MoltenLasagne · 28/01/2022 20:29

Venatrix I hadn't put two and two together, but of course that makes sense.

Venatrix · 28/01/2022 20:19

@MoltenLasagne

The new policy removes any requirement for trans or non-binary members to complete a declaration stating how they would like to be identified if applying for (or if they have an existing) Ride, Commute or Fan membership.

These membership packages do not include a Race Licence, and therefore the declaration is not necessary as the policy is clear that British Cycling encourages transgender and non-binary participants can take part in recreational/non-competitive activities in the gender they identify as.

Trans or non-binary members wishing to obtain Race memberships (either Gold, Silver or Bronze) will still be required to submit a signed declaration that their gender identity is different to their sex recorded at birth, however, the rule that this declaration cannot be changed for four years has been removed.

So no declaration required unless competing, and even if you're competing you're now allowed to switch back and forth as much as you like.

MoltenLasagne .... So no declaration required unless competing, and even if you're competing you're now allowed to switch back and forth as much as you like.

Seems like dropping the four year rule is designed to allow ‘Emily Bridges’ to compete in Women’s events asap.

It’s a disgusting and deliberate abdication of BC’s responsibilities to women and girls. It’s hard enough to get girls interested in cycling and this will just make it even harder.

So angry at this

ShavingTheBadger · 28/01/2022 10:59

I agree, it's really depressing. I know a lot of women working and competing in sport who feel like they just don't have a voice any more. A lot of them are in sport-specific roles (e.g. athlete practitioners) and are unable to speak up because they are scared that they will lose their jobs - they aren't qualified to work outside sport in some cases. What really gets my goat is when it feels like a royal visit when a trans activist like Pippa walks into the office.

timeisnotaline · 28/01/2022 08:40

This is so depressing. The Twitter thread is nearly all fairly polite objections to this deeply unfair policy, plus a few posts supporting it and about 100 posts from kirsti Miller ranting that it is deeply unfair and harmful to transwomen requiring them to meet any testosterone requirements at all. Kirsti Miller is a transwoman ex competitive male cyclist and athlete turned politician and I haven’t the words to say what I’d like to. They KNOW they are stronger and faster than women, they just don’t care.

Quadzilla · 28/01/2022 08:25

I don't know whether you mean the policy around Safeguarding for Children that didn't state children needed single sex changing rooms?

Feralgoose · 28/01/2022 07:42

@ahagwearsapointybonnet

One thing I expected to find in here, but can't spot so far, is anything about use of facilities, i.e. toilets and changing rooms - or did I miss that? I seem to remember that being talked about when they were doing the consultation - but don't remember whether there were actually questions about it in the consultation or not?

Also, their Q&A on the new policy (www.britishcycling.org.uk/about/article/20220127-about-bc-news-An-update-on-our-Transgender-and-Non-Binary-Participation-Policy-0) says they have removed anything about under-18s from the policy for now, as they decided that needed more consideration. But IF they plan to allow use of facilities based on "gender" rather than sex, that would affect anyone using those facilities at the same time, regardless whether they are taking part in the same events or not, and potentially mixing adults and children. So that WOULD likely affect under-18s as well, if so. Does anyone know?

The policy they had before this one was very specific that transgender people get to choose which changing rooms they want to use and staff and volunteers had to go along with it. That bit’s been taken out but I’m sure you’d still face a disciplinary if you tried to challenge it.

BaronMunchausen · 27/01/2022 22:58

@MoltenLasagne

I also particularly like how the encourage reporting of any non-inclusive language at the end. i.e. if you hear any uppity women complain then here is how to dobb them in.

Enforced breaching of women's boundaries. Shocking.

Feralgoose · 27/01/2022 21:57

@WhatDidISayAlan

BC are all over Pippa York like a cheap suit. They’ve had so much bad press over the past few years (bullying, jiffybag gate etc) that they’re doing anything to get on the right side of bad publicity. I cancelled my membership last year and won’t be renewing.

Pippa's 'facts' about transwomen and sport are all kinds of wrong. But it's typical of British Cycling to idolise Pippa and throw women under the bus.

Pippa gets fact checked here
www.womensrights.network/wrn-videos

ahagwearsapointybonnet · 27/01/2022 21:55

One thing I expected to find in here, but can't spot so far, is anything about use of facilities, i.e. toilets and changing rooms - or did I miss that? I seem to remember that being talked about when they were doing the consultation - but don't remember whether there were actually questions about it in the consultation or not?

Also, their Q&A on the new policy (www.britishcycling.org.uk/about/article/20220127-about-bc-news-An-update-on-our-Transgender-and-Non-Binary-Participation-Policy-0) says they have removed anything about under-18s from the policy for now, as they decided that needed more consideration. But IF they plan to allow use of facilities based on "gender" rather than sex, that would affect anyone using those facilities at the same time, regardless whether they are taking part in the same events or not, and potentially mixing adults and children. So that WOULD likely affect under-18s as well, if so. Does anyone know?

McDuffy · 27/01/2022 21:02

Thanks, Cats. I will research as I may be able to help them

CatsOperatingInGangs · 27/01/2022 19:49

@McDuffy

Is that a new organisation? Not sure I've seen them before.

Newish. I first noticed them when they protested against changing room policies at Christmas. They’re now looking at sport and brought out a YouTube video earlier in the week. They look organised and UK wide

DoubleYouOhEmAyEn · 27/01/2022 19:23

OMFG. It's so blatantly unfair on women cyclists. Fucks sake.

ArthurDear2021 · 27/01/2022 19:20

I didn't think it was possible to 'mollycoddle' a 4 month old baby? I hate that word and just been called this by my partner...yes I attend to his every whim as he puts it but he's a baby I thought I'd been doing so well I'm upset more than anything that it's making me doubt myself as a mum...is he right?

FannyCann · 27/01/2022 19:07

I also particularly like how the encourage reporting of any non-inclusive language at the end. i.e. if you hear any uppity women complain then here is how to dobb them in.

Will they be forwarding them to police for investigation of hate crime I wonder?

Truthlikeness · 27/01/2022 18:56

@PermanentTemporary

Sports competitors are often very young. When I was a rower I probably would have seen it as flattering that I could help other people by including them in my sport. I would have assumed the men's team were too nasty, not welcoming like mine.

I've seen this in my sport too - young women saying they are happy to play a competitive contact sport against men, when I can guarantee they have never done that before and have no idea what they would be letting themselves in for.

Ionlydomassiveones · 27/01/2022 18:42

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn at the poster's request.

McDuffy · 27/01/2022 18:14

Is that a new organisation? Not sure I've seen them before.

CatsOperatingInGangs · 27/01/2022 18:11

Interesting! Looks like the Women's Rights Network are on the case

British Cycling have released their transgender policy

CatsOperatingInGangs · 27/01/2022 18:07

This will come and bite them in the arse eventually. All the newer cooler women’s cycling clubs by me are now open to TW and NB. Everyone has pronouns in their bio and they have edgy photos on Instagram of their riders. They’ll get a shock when actual TW turn up to the club to race because they will. (And to be fair, why wouldn’t you).

Theeyeballsinthesky · 27/01/2022 18:04

You mean…..the serious warnings didn’t work??? I’m shocked

Redgreenbluehooray · 27/01/2022 18:03

It pisses me off that their recreational 'women-only' Breeze rides in fact allow men who 'live their lives as a woman.' Whatever the hell that means.

TurquoiseBaubles · 27/01/2022 17:59

They are getting ratioed on twitter, despite their serious warning about hate not being tolerated

WhatDidISayAlan · 27/01/2022 17:53

BC are all over Pippa York like a cheap suit. They’ve had so much bad press over the past few years (bullying, jiffybag gate etc) that they’re doing anything to get on the right side of bad publicity. I cancelled my membership last year and won’t be renewing.

Original poster

Anotherhill · 27/01/2022 17:53

@PermanentTemporary

Sports competitors are often very young. When I was a rower I probably would have seen it as flattering that I could help other people by including them in my sport. I would have assumed the men's team were too nasty, not welcoming like mine.

That’s probably true, until they miss out on a team selection or a podium position. I doubt there are many older teens still racing who haven’t got hopes of going further.

OP posts: