A thought experiment, for my own satisfaction as much as anything, as the thread's dying a death. Here's an imagined U-turn late in 2022 / my attempt to propose a solution I'd prefer to see. It took a bit of courage to post, and this, in itself, seems significant. Because my sense is that, where the current policy clearly and confidently assumes its own moral superiority in its explicit references to protecting gender non-conforming people, my alternative suggestion may be seen as controversial in its equally explicit defence of females' rights. The fact is that both versions favour one group over another, and both have the potential to distress the sidelined group. So why the probable gulf in popular perception?!
RACE CATEGORIES
In the past we’ve always strived for equality and to be one of the most open and inclusive races out there. Since the very beginning, we’ve offered equal prizes for the men and women’s race. We recognise that as society evolves, THIS SHOULD NOT IMPACT ON THESE FUNDAMENTAL VALUES and so in 2022 we RETURNED TO our ORIGINAL format.
SEX AND GENDER IDENTITY should never be discriminated against, and we aim to create an inclusive racing environment for all, and welcome BOTH SEXES AND GENDER IDENTITIES to our races.
We realised that GENDER-BASED racing categories are, REGRETTABLY, NOT fit for purpose. It shouldn’t be up to FEMALE-BODIED PEOPLE, who SCIENTIFIC CONSENSUS DETERMINES BELONG IN A DIFFERENT CLASS OF PHYSICAL ABILITY TO MALE-BODIED PEOPLE, to face pressure to RACE AGAINST THOSE WITH AN INNATE ADVANTAGE, or else be excluded or face ACCUSATIONS OF BIGOTRY, by THEIR category being EXTENDED IN A WAY WHICH DISADVANTAGES THEM AND ARGUABLE HEIGHTENS THEIR RISK OF INJURY in the sport. It’s time the categories themselves to change back and become more inclusive.
Therefore, we say goodbye to gendered race categories BASED ON SELF-IDENTIFICATION. The THUNDER AND LIGHTNING races have been RADICALLY RE-THOUGHT. Welcome to the new MALE, NB AND TRANSWOMAN, AND FEMALE, NB AND TRANSMAN categories, which are based on the principle that the best and most fun competition is a fair, SAFE and inclusive competition, where the performance level of the competitors in each category is AUTOMATICALLY similar to those around them.
We have created two new race categories – AS ABOVE– that take the SCIENTIFICALLY DETERMINED physical performance of BIRTH SEX as the starting point of each, SO THAT those of similar ability AUTOMATICALLY race in that category, regardless of gender. It is a radical re-think of what a race could look like, celebrating the differences between riders BY ENABLING MEANINGFUL INCLUSION IN THE FORM OF MIXED-GENDER GROUPS, but STILL offering a level playing field in terms of competition.
Thunder Category. This category is for:
• MEN
• Non-binary gendered people WHOSE BIRTH SEX ALIGNS WITH MALES
• Trans women
Lightning Category. This category is for:
• WOMEN
• Non-binary gendered people whose BIRTH SEX aligns with FEMALES
• Trans men
Notes
NO ONE CAN choose their racing category AS THIS WOULD BE AN ARBITRARY BASIS FOR COMPETITION, AND DISCRIMINATORY WERE IT TO BE PERMITTED FOR ONE GORUP AND NOT FOR OTHERS.
We recognise that this new format IS MORE CLEAR, FAIR AND SAFE THAN OUR PREVIOUS SOLUTION, BUT ALSO MAY BE OF CONCERN TO SOME INDIVIDUALS, so if you’re confused please email us ([email protected]) and we will be very happy to EXPLAIN THE REASONING AND EVIDENCE-BASE BEHIND IT, AND WHY WE FEEL IT IS NOT INCOMPATIBLE WITH EMBRACING THE FULL INVOLVEMENT OF NON-GENDER-CONFORMING INDIVIDUALS IN OUR SPORT.
We may also contact riders to double check that they have selected the correct category.
We will not require any proof of medical treatment, AS THE CLARITY AND FAIRNESS OF OUR SYSTEM MAKES IT EASY TO ENSURE competitors select the category most appropriate for their performance.
Transphobic AND SEXIST behaviour will not be tolerated. ACCUSATIONS OF BIGOTRY IN THE FACE OF OUR ATTEMPTS TO BE FAIR AND RESPECTFUL TO ALL will not be tolerated.
However, we are open to constructive feedback. We don’t have all the answers and we recognise that this is not necessarily the perfect solution, so we are open to ideas and suggestions on how we can improve in the future.
A and B Subcategories
Within the Thunder and Lightning categories there will NO LONGER be a ‘A’ or ‘B’ level AS THIS WOULD UNDERMINE THE FAIRNESS of the final races in groups BY NECESSITATING SUBJECTIVE JUDGEMENTS REGARDING ABILITY IN PLACE OF
MORE OBJECTIVE MEASURES.
The qualifying races will BE ORGANISED AS EXPLAINED ABOVE, so by the time we get to the finals races you will be racing against people IN THE SAME PHYSICAL CLASS AS yourself.
Prizes
THIS WILL ALSO MEAN A RETURN TO OUR commitment to equal prizes. Prizes for the Thunder and Lightning categories will ONCE AGAIN REWARD INDIVIDUALS’ WHO EXCEL IN THEIR PHYSICAL CLASS , and will be provided by our generous sponsors.