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Feminism: sex and gender

Original poster

BBC on the Olympics

17 replies

zanahoria · 17/07/2021 11:38

^Arguably one of the most anticipated performances of these Games will come from 43-year-old transgender weightlifter Laurel Hubbard.

New Zealand's Hubbard, who broke male national records as a junior, will compete in the women's 87kg weightlifting category and is one of the favourites to win a medal.

Hubbard's inclusion is seen as a milestone for trans equality and many have praised the International Olympic Committee's inclusive policies and the New Zealand organising committee for her selection.

Hubbard will be the first trans athlete to compete at the Olympics in an individual event - and is unlikely to be the last.^

www.bbc.co.uk/sport/olympics/57836107

This is absurd, disgusting bias.

They are laughing at womens sport.

OP posts:
CourageCallsToMe · 17/07/2021 11:42

I was really upset by this this morning.
"seen as a milestone for trans equality"
"many have praised the IOC"

Utter bullshit

What about the many who have pointed out how this discriminates against women athletes?

amission · 17/07/2021 11:44

@zanahoria

^Arguably one of the most anticipated performances of these Games will come from 43-year-old transgender weightlifter Laurel Hubbard.

New Zealand's Hubbard, who broke male national records as a junior, will compete in the women's 87kg weightlifting category and is one of the favourites to win a medal.

Hubbard's inclusion is seen as a milestone for trans equality and many have praised the International Olympic Committee's inclusive policies and the New Zealand organising committee for her selection.

Hubbard will be the first trans athlete to compete at the Olympics in an individual event - and is unlikely to be the last.^

www.bbc.co.uk/sport/olympics/57836107

This is absurd, disgusting bias.

They are laughing at womens sport.

That basically screams fuck you females
Theeyeballsinthesky · 17/07/2021 12:27

“Many have praised the IOC”

I’d love to see the list of these

Artesia · 17/07/2021 19:55

As much as I hate the BBC's stance on this, I say "bring it on". I hope they draw as much attention to this as possible. I suspect weight lifting isn't normally one of the more watched Olympic sports, so this could pass under the radar for many people. But I'd hazard that anyone who actually watches it, and sees the reality of allowing a TW into women's sport, will be peaked.

Datun · 18/07/2021 01:12

They're talking crap. Most people find it grossly unfair and struggle to understand how it has been allowed to happen.

Why is accommodating men with eg gender dysphoria, or cross dressers in this way, seen as 'equality'? It's using the words of gay liberation in a context to which they don't apply.

And if it's not about the Stonewall umbrella of gender dysphoria, cross dressing, etc, what is it about? A lifestyle choice?

In which case, how is competing in a sex category to which you don't belong acceptable as a lifestyle choice?

They never ask the questions.

But everyone else will.

NiceGerbil · 18/07/2021 04:13

Hubbard is about 2x older than the other competitors.

Has had injuries.

If Hubbard doesn't win it will be seen as proof that all is well..

As an aside I've seen things more generally about chucking competitions in order to make it look AOK for males to compete against females.

I can't imagine any serious athlete would do that but still.

EdgeOfACoin · 18/07/2021 08:18

Surely, surely, at some point even the most gung-ho of trans-inclusive cheerleaders must notice that the only trans athletes winning medals are mtf transitioners? Ftm transitioners are not going to be winning weightlifting competitions or outrunning the likes of Usain Bolt any time soon.

I suppose someone will point me in the direction of Chris Mosier at some point - but the more I look into Chris's sporting achievements (in that well-known sport, the duathlon), I'm afraid the less impressed I become.

Selkiesarereal · 19/07/2021 18:53

It will be interesting to see how the commentators approach this given that they are all ex athletes or very well versed in sport.

NiceGerbil · 19/07/2021 22:44

I think they will be following strict guidelines about how to cover/ commentate.

I suspect they will also choose presenters for the events with trans althletes that they know won't rock the boat.

ErrolTheDragon · 19/07/2021 22:57

Hubbard will be the first trans athlete to compete at the Olympics in an individual event

Nonsense. More than one transwoman has competed, and won medals in the olympics. They've won fair and square, by competing in the male categories as they should. (Or is it a fib that TW are W and have always really been W? Can't have it both ways....ah silly me of course they can...)

Anyway, a transwoman has won gold in arguably the toughest event going. So tough that women (ones who aren't transwomen) don't even get to do it. The decathlon.

Original poster
zanahoria · 20/07/2021 15:53

Has had injuries

hardly surprising, really messing with his body.

OP posts:
NiceGerbil · 20/07/2021 16:10

Not necessarily.

The lower end is within the normal male range.

DH has very low T found out by accident. He's not a professional weightlifter obv but can lift 200kg which is quite a lot for a bog standard pretty lazy bloke who only does it once or twice a week!

He is fully functional and his T is really low. Lower than low for an 80yo. Can't remember the numbers.

He's on treatment now but it hasn't got him into normal yet. And his strength and funtionalness and keeness has not changed ever.

I have read a lot saying that the t ranges are based on a couple of studies decades ago and there is a massive ? around their reliability.

This person may well be on suppressants. The fact male standard people could meet the maximum with no intervention is interesting though.

I mean maybe not an Olympian but we don't know do we. It's assumed male Olympians will have massive testosterone but I for one don't know if that's a fact.

NiceGerbil · 20/07/2021 16:11

He's in his late 30s he's not 80 that reads a bit odd!

Low for an 80yo

Ooodlesofboodles · 20/07/2021 16:18

I think it is a fabulous article. It will peak a lot of people. Won medals as a male, now competing as a female. Wtf.
I think the person who wrote this is GC and has gone all out to make the absurdity of the situation abundantly clear, without losing their job.

Roystonv · 20/07/2021 16:21

I would have expected some recognition that this is a bitter pill to swallow for many. Some coverage of how it is very controversial; how it is the thin end of the wedge; that many are appalled, sickened and very upset and worried. But no, happy clappy fun for all. No consideration that they represent all of Britain at an event like this.

Roystonv · 20/07/2021 16:23
  • the BBC not hubbard
NiceGerbil · 20/07/2021 16:51

Question:

Any thoughts on why they never say

First openly transgender athlete? Which would be accurate and inclusive.

The way they put it is surely a kick in the teeth for all those who have not come out, or who came out after they competed

EG Jenner.

Isn't it crass to say first? I mean if you take the pro perspective.

The inconsistency and illogic in this whole thing really makes me twitch.

Anyway. For those in the news who write pieces like that BBC one. Why are they not saying openly trans?

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