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AIBU?

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Original poster

That women shouldn’t be forced into silence over males competing in female sports

506 replies

Ikeasucks · 08/05/2021 14:47

NEW Zealand has selected a 43 yr old transwoman to represent them in the Olympics in the women’s weightlifting competition. Female athletes feel they are being forced into silence on the issue. How did it come to this?

www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/females-told-be-quiet-transgender-issue-ex-weightlifter-2021-05-07/

OP posts:
Thread gallery
10
DrSbaitso · 08/05/2021 18:24

Transgender athletes should absolutely be able to compete with the gender that they identify with.

Why?

Vebrithien · 08/05/2021 18:24

It is an utter travesty.

How can it be possibly seen as fair?

I hope that this brings sunlight to more people.

It makes me so fearful for the future of my daughter.

lonel · 08/05/2021 18:26

*Transgender athletes should absolutely be able to compete with the gender that they identify with.

Why?*
I would like to know this too. There is no reason why the rules shouldn't be "compete in your sex category not your gender category". Sports are not there to affirm your identity to the cost of female athletes.

MrsFin · 08/05/2021 18:26

Transgender athletes should absolutely be able to compete with the gender that they identify with

Even if they are much taller, stronger, have bigger muscles and a bigger heart etc etc.

MrsFin · 08/05/2021 18:27

That needs a ? At the end.
In wasn't agreeing Blush

Wegobshite · 08/05/2021 18:27

My DH used to box at a high level
At his gym there was a very well known female boxer .
She would spar and box with the men
when training but my DH said many times that the men all agreed that while as a women boxer she was excellent and could really hold her own that they as men couldn’t fight her in the same way as they would do other men .

And more importantly none of them wanted to . As they all knew they could seriously hurt her .
My hope is that because of the high profile of the Olympics many more people will be like WTF just happened

MrsFin · 08/05/2021 18:28

@StrawberryLipstickStateOfMind

Does anyone know what we can practically do? Is it worth contacting my MP? What can be done about this madness?

I feel increasingly desperate to try and do something, anything!

A demonstration march? I'd go.

itsgettingwierd · 08/05/2021 18:29

@DrSbaitso

Transgender athletes should absolutely be able to compete with the gender that they identify with.

Why?

Yes I'd like this answer too!

Because gender is just a social construct whereby society decides what makes you make or female by your interests and dress etc.

A male wearing a dress isn't female.

They don't even have to say they identify as female.

It's a man (x and Y chromosomes) in a dress. You can't change biological fact to create a narrative.

StrawberryLipstickStateOfMind · 08/05/2021 18:32

I would too @MrsFin.

I emailed my MP about the GRA. I might try email him about this as well.

I used to be scared to even post my opinions on Mumsnet FFS, I'm tired of worrying about it now and just think fuck it, this is all wrong. The fantastic women on the feminism board have given me the courage to post a bit now.

itsgettingwierd · 08/05/2021 18:32

Should add I believe in transgender (my above post seems to make out I don't).

But my point is I believe people identify to a different gender to sex in the majority because they believe their choices are male/female.

I'm totally for trans sex too. Hormone therapy etc and removal of organs and re assignment.

I don't agree that gives someone equal right to compete in sport against their birth sex.

I totally advocate for transgender and also trans sex and inter sex sports categories. I actually also believe this will open up sport to a much wider audience and those who are transgender may feel more confident joining clubs and trying for teams.

Wegobshite · 08/05/2021 18:36

The women competitors need to do a Rupert Campbell Black 😂
I vaguely remember in the book Riders the riders all ride around the ring and deliberately avoided the most dangerous jump as a protest
Sent everyone into a uproar and I think on Fen jumped it but I would like to think that by all the women athletes protesting in some way people would he forced to realise how ridiculous this is

notanothertakeaway · 08/05/2021 18:39

I think this is terrible

And gives me the rage that we can't speak out publicly, for fear of being branded as intolerant

lifeissweet · 08/05/2021 18:40

There is a solution, though.

Women's categories for biological women, which are protected and open categories for 'other'. Then no one is having to deny their gender identity and can compete in sports as women, but against their own natal sex.

None of this, however, serves trans men, who can't compete with women because of their artificially raised testosterone levels and have no chance against men.

I don't see them shouting and stamping their feet, though. Why is that?

Wearywithteens · 08/05/2021 18:53

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn at the poster's request.

ErrolTheDragon · 08/05/2021 18:53

Transgender athletes should absolutely be able to compete with the gender that they identify with. Intersex athletes should also be able to do the same.

Again, why?

There is a good, simple reason why sports are divided by sex - humans are dimorphic.

There is no reason whatever to divide sports by 'gender'. How would you do it - 'masculine', 'feminine' and 'nonbinary'?Confused what earthly purpose would it serve?

00100001 · 08/05/2021 19:03

Isn't it odd, that when Oscar Pistoruous wanted to race in the Olympics, he wasn't allowed because his spring legs gave him an I fair advantage.

That's partly why the Paralympics exists. To give people a fair competition.

So why is fucking transphobic to suggest that trans Olympics should exist??

Tambora · 08/05/2021 19:06

This is why I like equestrian sports, they are not divided into competitions for men and women - everybody is equal.

Original poster
Ikeasucks · 08/05/2021 19:10

There is no reason whatever to divide sports by 'gender'. How would you do it - 'masculine', 'feminine' and 'nonbinary'?confused what earthly purpose would it serve?

I think the end game is to just let everyone play in whatever category they want - no restrictions

That women shouldn’t be forced into silence over males competing in female sports
OP posts:
itsgettingwierd · 08/05/2021 19:17

@00100001

Isn't it odd, that when Oscar Pistoruous wanted to race in the Olympics, he wasn't allowed because his spring legs gave him an I fair advantage.

That's partly why the Paralympics exists. To give people a fair competition.

So why is fucking transphobic to suggest that trans Olympics should exist??

This is a sore point atm in my household!

My ds is a para swimmer and they've cancelled para nationals and are running a virtual national event through comps - but no para swimming in that either from the announcement today Sad

itsgettingwierd · 08/05/2021 19:17

Through regional comps.

Mulletsaremisunderstood · 08/05/2021 19:19

This makes me so sad and angry...what will it take for the government/ media to wake up to the reality of this?

Women and girls have a hard enough time getting into and progressing in sport. They are now being pushed aside at the alter of inclusiveness. It's not inclusive for women is it?

As an able bodied person, I shouldn't be allowed to compete in the Paralympics, and as an adult I shouldn't be allowed to compete in children's competitions. This is common sense that is understood by all.

So WHY is this issue so 'complicated'? Why does it require such mind bending and hand wringing like Askingforfriend post?

The only rational answer I can come up with is that it benefits men and penalises women. That is why it has been largely accepted by the masses without resistance.

Women are not important, message received.

ErrolTheDragon · 08/05/2021 19:20

I think the end game is to just let everyone play in whatever category they want

Great! So, then if everyone should be able to play in the category they want, clearly women (adult human females) should be able to play in a women only category, defined by sex?

If not, why not?

Palladin · 08/05/2021 19:20

I simply can't comprehend how this can be allowed, and how people who speak up for fairness and the truth are silenced. It's like we're entering a new period of Dark Ages.

Mulletsaremisunderstood · 08/05/2021 19:21

As MrsFin said, I would love to attend a demonstration march. I would worry that it would be attacked as 'right wing' or 'bigoted'...but maybe if enough women turned up it would make a difference.

lifeissweet · 08/05/2021 19:27

What makes me so mad is that this will ultimately lead to a situation where women have to campaign and fight and set up services and sports organisations just for women. Again. Fight for women's categories all over again. Start a Women's Olympics with it's own terms of entry.

All of this fighting, when we should be focusing on fixing the things that need our attention. Things like FGM and forced marriage. Battles we haven't already won once before.

It is such a waste of energy and money when thing like this shouldn't be allowed to be taken away from women in the first place.