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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Brave reporter undergoes inhumane sex test for sports. Brace yourselves.

468 replies

singthing · 28/07/2026 11:08

Here's a blow-by-blow first-person account of what it is like to have the new sports sex test that is being decried as invasive and dehumanising and (in a rather extravagant bending of the facts) a genital inspection etc.

After such a big build-up, prepare to be.... underwhelmed. But please do stop scrolling now if you don't want to read the distressing details:

"I open my mouth and feel the swab brushing the inside of my cheeks for about 20 seconds. The practitioner carefully places the sample in a small plastic bag and then pops it into a sealed envelope. I sign the back of it."

https://archive.ph/kITV9

OP posts:
Thread gallery
16
KnottyAuty · 28/07/2026 11:10

If that’s dehumanising then what about the Covid nasal swabs that we all endured? And frankly the National colon cancer screening is no joke 🤣

Wishesandhorses · 28/07/2026 11:13

Useful she didn't find it traumatising at all.

And yes, in context of the last decade, this is nothing at all. It's the results that will be feared, not the test.

lcakethereforeIam · 28/07/2026 11:16

I read that. I think it demonstrated what a nothing burger the sex tests can be once the administration and costs are taken care of. I do worry that there's potential for corruption. The time it takes, the privacy over the results (otherwise understandable), etc.

The 'naturally occurring' high testosterone bit about Semenya, without clarifying it's because he's male with perfectly normal levels of testosterone for a man, were a bit enraging.

BunfightBetty · 28/07/2026 11:16

It’s a wonder these people can manage to leave the house.

MagpiePi · 28/07/2026 11:21

I guess a lot of TRAs are going to be disappointed that it is so straightforward and nobody is going to have to show their genitals.
🙄

FourSevenFour · 28/07/2026 11:26

Pro tip:
If someone uses "dehumanising" in context of cheek swabs, ask them whether they know how antidoping checks work (which pro athletes undertake 5-25 times a year).

Depending on the scenario, blood samples and or urine samples are taken.

For the urine sample, the officer needs to see the urine leaving the athletes body.

Providing a Urine Sample: When ready, you will be asked to wash your hands or wear gloves and then to provide your sample. The DCP, who will be of the same gender as you, will directly observe you providing your sample. The DCP must have a clear view of the middle of your body, hands and forearms. The DCP will instruct you to move clothing that restricts this view. You will need to provide a minimum of 90ml of urine. This may be done on more than one occasion until you reach the required amount.

(Yes, I'm aware of the word gender here. Let's not get distracted too much by that, but if anyone wants to ask for a clarification, the quote is from
https://www.ukad.org.uk/testing-process )

The Testing Process | UK Anti-Doping

https://www.ukad.org.uk/testing-process

SirChenjins · 28/07/2026 11:28

Thoughts and prayers to the stunning and brave ones. #sadtimes

Wait until they hear about smear tests.

Screamingabdabz · 28/07/2026 11:30

Come on folks. Have a heart. We have to put pronouns on emails now in case ‘words’ traumatise them, so I can see how a non-affirming mouth swab could lead to Victorian levels of hysteria and swooning (followed by piss bottles and death threats…)

SadiraOfTyr · 28/07/2026 11:34

I love how they ignore the fact that antidoping urine tests, which all elite athletes undergo - often at completely random times (TdF athletes were recently woken at 2am on a race night for them) are far MORE invasive and involve an official having an unobstructed view of your genitals while you are urinating.

Bit no, a cheek swap is far more invasive than having a lady in a white coat observe your sweaty fanjo while weeing into a cup after a 150km race.

EmpressDomesticatednottamed · 28/07/2026 11:40

Screamingabdabz · 28/07/2026 11:30

Come on folks. Have a heart. We have to put pronouns on emails now in case ‘words’ traumatise them, so I can see how a non-affirming mouth swab could lead to Victorian levels of hysteria and swooning (followed by piss bottles and death threats…)

There'll be a run on fainting couches, best get the order in now if you want one in time for Christmas.

How disappointing it will be for those desperate to shriek about genital inspections, how will they cope?

FourSevenFour · 28/07/2026 11:46

lcakethereforeIam · 28/07/2026 11:16

I read that. I think it demonstrated what a nothing burger the sex tests can be once the administration and costs are taken care of. I do worry that there's potential for corruption. The time it takes, the privacy over the results (otherwise understandable), etc.

The 'naturally occurring' high testosterone bit about Semenya, without clarifying it's because he's male with perfectly normal levels of testosterone for a man, were a bit enraging.

As for privacy, I don't see why anyone would go and fail the official test.

Woman with periods are safe (potentially something like chimeric twin might lead to a false positive which would require further testing).
Others - if anyone is genuinely unsure about what the result would be, they can take the same test privately (it isn't that expensive) first and decide quietly what to do about the results.

spannasaurus · 28/07/2026 11:50

Officially called an SRY-gene screen, the test detects the presence of a Y chromosome, which is responsible for the development of male characteristics, and is being made mandatory by a growing number of sports governing bodies to ensure the safety and fairness of women’s sport.

Isn't this bit of the article incorrect? The SRY test is testing for the presence of the SRY gene rather than the y chromosome as stated

Helleofabore · 28/07/2026 14:03

And the crowd stands and applauds.

MrsOvertonsWindow · 28/07/2026 14:13

Good to see the trans extreme hyperbole being challenged by boring facts and reality.

ProfessorBinturong · 28/07/2026 14:37

SirChenjins · 28/07/2026 11:28

Thoughts and prayers to the stunning and brave ones. #sadtimes

Wait until they hear about smear tests.

And prostate checks.

AlexaAdventuress · 28/07/2026 14:43

Helleofabore · 28/07/2026 14:03

And the crowd stands and applauds.

There wasn't a dry eye in the house!

RedToothBrush · 28/07/2026 14:47

Fucking hell.

The inhumanity of a pregnancy test.

The violation of a pregnancy scan.

No one tells these poor poppets about how they examine you in labour, for a cervical smear or a mammogram...

If only they were women they'd know this.

Dicks. Literally.

NeverDropYourMooncup · 28/07/2026 14:51

Just wait until they go for a dental hygienist appointment. Or insertion of a Mirena for adenomyosis with vaginal vault anaesthesia...oh, wait.

Lougle · 28/07/2026 14:58

SadiraOfTyr · 28/07/2026 11:34

I love how they ignore the fact that antidoping urine tests, which all elite athletes undergo - often at completely random times (TdF athletes were recently woken at 2am on a race night for them) are far MORE invasive and involve an official having an unobstructed view of your genitals while you are urinating.

Bit no, a cheek swap is far more invasive than having a lady in a white coat observe your sweaty fanjo while weeing into a cup after a 150km race.

Imagine how gutted you'd be if you did a wee at 1.30am, then the doorbell rang at 1.45am.

DabOfPistachio · 28/07/2026 14:58

MagpiePi · 28/07/2026 11:21

I guess a lot of TRAs are going to be disappointed that it is so straightforward and nobody is going to have to show their genitals.
🙄

Oh very much so. I think a lot of dubious characters were getting very excited at the idea of getting their genitals inspected.
Sorry boys, it's just a cheek swab. No one wants to take a look in your trousers 😆

PaperWalkAndTalk · 28/07/2026 15:29

I would tell the trans women who find these test dehumanising to man up.

OneDreamyAquaEagle · 28/07/2026 15:36

singthing · 28/07/2026 11:08

Here's a blow-by-blow first-person account of what it is like to have the new sports sex test that is being decried as invasive and dehumanising and (in a rather extravagant bending of the facts) a genital inspection etc.

After such a big build-up, prepare to be.... underwhelmed. But please do stop scrolling now if you don't want to read the distressing details:

"I open my mouth and feel the swab brushing the inside of my cheeks for about 20 seconds. The practitioner carefully places the sample in a small plastic bag and then pops it into a sealed envelope. I sign the back of it."

https://archive.ph/kITV9

Oh the humanity!

BirdLandedonmyHead · 28/07/2026 15:40

How on earth do people manage those comnercial DNA tests? The trauma must be intense.

I can see how the results could be traumatic for someone with an undiagnosed DSD condition and hopefully those results will be handled with sensitivity.

lcakethereforeIam · 28/07/2026 15:41

Mammograms! Half naked getting your tits squished with a couple of strangers.

StylesSluttyShorts · 28/07/2026 15:44

Wishesandhorses · 28/07/2026 11:13

Useful she didn't find it traumatising at all.

And yes, in context of the last decade, this is nothing at all. It's the results that will be feared, not the test.

Edited

Am I missing something, why will the results be feared, everyone knows what sex they are, so if you're not a cheat then nothing to fear.