Page 14 | New British Cycling trans policy

PoshCoffee · 2023-05-25T18:03:17+00:00

The new British Cycling policy goes public at 11am tomorrow. Anyone dare to speculate on the outcome? Will it be a win for women?

Verv · 26/05/2023 16:50

He hasn't been banned.
He can compete in the mens or open category.

Women's sport isn't a refuge for average males and their "identities".

Emotionalsupportviper · 26/05/2023 16:53

GarethSouthgatesWaistcoat · 26/05/2023 16:33

It would also give mediocre men and women a chance at equivalent prize money to elite athletes. Two separate amounts if there are separate categories for transmen and transwomen. Presumably equal to the elite men's and women's prizes, due to 'equality'.

I have no idea how this would be funded. Whether the prize money would be lowered for the elite men's and women's categories to accommodate it? Sponsorships could be more difficult to come by if they're shared across four categories. At first I thought fewer companies would be interested in sponsoring the smaller, less competitive, less viewed (sponsorships are advertising, after all) trans categories however it's pretty clear companies are falling over themselves to broadcast their inclusiveness and elevate their DEI/ESG scores, business sense be damned.

At that point what's to stop elite men and women identifying into the appropriate trans categories if the prize money is the same and the chance of dominating much higher? A reverse EB if you will. You can just imagine the absolute tantrums it would provoke 👀

Show quote history

There was a male weightlifting coach who entered the women's weightlifting competition claiming to be a woman just so he could stop the TW from winning and show what a farce this whole thing is.

The TW was in tears and feeling cheated because this man "wasn't really a woman".

https://www.sportbible.com/other/male-enters-womens-powerlifting-event-and-shatters-record-848829-20230330

https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1753618/bearded-weightlifter-women-record-trans

Bearded male weightlifter smashes women’s record

Avi Silverberg entered the competition by identifying as female, sparking debate on the possible pitfalls for women's sports if males are allowed to compete.

https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1753618/bearded-weightlifter-women-record-trans

Redebs · 26/05/2023 16:53

What I find disgusting is the threat that men like this make when they can't have their way that they might have to kill themselves.
Classic narcissist tactic. It's revolting and an insult to anyone who has tragically lost a family member in this way.
The media needs to blank out that particular threat, as it represents a 'call to action' for mentally ill young people caught up in trans activism.

Emotionalsupportviper · 26/05/2023 16:56

Redebs · 26/05/2023 16:53

What I find disgusting is the threat that men like this make when they can't have their way that they might have to kill themselves.
Classic narcissist tactic. It's revolting and an insult to anyone who has tragically lost a family member in this way.
The media needs to blank out that particular threat, as it represents a 'call to action' for mentally ill young people caught up in trans activism.

Absolutely!

The "look what you are making me do" tactic. Take no responsibility for their own actions (not that they would be likely to do anything - as you say, this is tactical) and making vulnerable young people feel threatened where they aren't.

Bullying and gaslighting - that's all this is.

zibzibara · 26/05/2023 16:56

https://twitter.com/simonjedge/status/1662070178174124033

So ＠BBCWorldAtOne reads a statement from 'Emily' Bridges voiced up by a woman producer. This is an act of deliberate distortion, ＠JonnyDymond, implying to your listeners that 'Emily' is a woman and therefore right to be aggrieved. You know actual 'Emily' doesn't sound like that.

Here's what 'Emily' really sounds like. No wonder Bridges issued a statement rather than speak in person. And when trans-identified men have useful idiots at the BBC doing their propaganda for them, why should they ever have their voice recorded again?

https://t.co/qaS6L8jKwL

https://twitter.com/simonjedge/status/1662070178174124033

Rollercoaster1920 · 26/05/2023 16:57

Wow. British Cycling lack good leadership right now. First they allowed transgender males into female competition, losing a lot of respect and a few members (I ceased my otherwise lifelong membership over it).

Now they've leaned back the other way enough to anger the outspoken, BUT they've ignored inequality in grass roots level competition. So losing credibility from all sides of this issue.

I really hope they have another think and apply the rules to all categories and backdate to expunge men from female competition results.

Emotionalsupportviper · 26/05/2023 17:00

Rollercoaster1920 · 26/05/2023 16:57

Wow. British Cycling lack good leadership right now. First they allowed transgender males into female competition, losing a lot of respect and a few members (I ceased my otherwise lifelong membership over it).

Now they've leaned back the other way enough to anger the outspoken, BUT they've ignored inequality in grass roots level competition. So losing credibility from all sides of this issue.

I really hope they have another think and apply the rules to all categories and backdate to expunge men from female competition results.

I'd missed that - is it just the elites this decision affects?

Don't they see that by allowing TW to race in the grassroots races they are effectively preventing females from becoming elites? Or is this what they want?

DarkDayforMN · 26/05/2023 17:01

Bridges’s statement in full is just amazing.

Really the ideal person to read it on the radio would have been Rik Mayall, if only he were still with us.

literalviolence · 26/05/2023 17:02

Redebs · 26/05/2023 16:53

What I find disgusting is the threat that men like this make when they can't have their way that they might have to kill themselves.
Classic narcissist tactic. It's revolting and an insult to anyone who has tragically lost a family member in this way.
The media needs to blank out that particular threat, as it represents a 'call to action' for mentally ill young people caught up in trans activism.

Yeah. I had an ex who threatened to kill himself when I left him Same old shit.

Floisme · 26/05/2023 17:13

DarkDayforMN · 26/05/2023 17:01

Bridges’s statement in full is just amazing.

Really the ideal person to read it on the radio would have been Rik Mayall, if only he were still with us.

Or Adrian Mole, age (I believe) 56.

Ourladycheesusedatum · 26/05/2023 17:15

Am halfway through thread

Just wanted to add 🎵the wheels on the bus are falling off🎵

Atishoos · 26/05/2023 17:18

Emotionalsupportviper · 26/05/2023 17:00

I'd missed that - is it just the elites this decision affects?

Don't they see that by allowing TW to race in the grassroots races they are effectively preventing females from becoming elites? Or is this what they want?

Show quote history

That is a very important point and should be highlighted. Hopefully things will change at grass roots soon also, otherwise as you say transwomen will forever qualify and females will be expunged.

Well that's my reading of it, and happy to be corrected.

Otherwise it's great news.

JanesLittleGirl · 26/05/2023 17:19

zibzibara · 26/05/2023 16:38

Full statement by Emily Bridges if anyone wants to read it as text rather than Instagram post:

British Cycling has just banned us from racing. This was to be announced at 11 am today, but I'm done with this whole conversation being on their terms, and being controlled by them.

They have no authority to control this conversation anymore. Does it surprise me that the same organisation funded directly by a state that ships vulnerable refugees to Rwanda, violently clamps down on any political dissent that they disapprove of, or starves their people? No, of course, it doesn't. The same organisation with actively homophobic coaches, who encouraged eating disorders and did nothing about any bullying between its riders. The same organisation where elite riders influence their policy when it doesn't fit their entitled and narrow worldview, with no ability for nuance or any desire to question the view that they've been told since birth. Journalists have been circling like vultures at a corpse for the last few days, gagging at the opportunity for a story or comment. British Cycling is a failed organisation, the racing scene is dying under your watch and all you do is take money from petrochemical companies and engage in culture wars. You don't care about making sport more diverse, you want to make yourself look better and you're even failing at that. Cycling is still one of the whitest, straightest sports out there, and you couldn't care less.

This is a violent act. When the government is expressing admiration towards Ron Desantis' fascist state which kidnaps children, and is itching to pass legislation to ban us from public life, this is a violent act. British Cycling are supporting this, they are furthering a genocide against us. Bans from sport is how it starts, look at what is going on in America. It starts with sports bans, then youth and general healthcare and then bans from public life through bathroom bans. Just look at the situation, and who is on your side. When literal Nazis, conspiracy theorists and those who want our eradication are on your side, surely that should give you pause?

I agree that there needs to be a nuanced policy discussion and continue to conduct research, but this hasn't happened. Research isn't being viewed critically, or any discussion about the relevance of the data to specific sports. Any discussion is inherently political and driven by bad faith actors, and the whole discussion is framed by the media who are driven through engagement by hate and funding from far-right ultra-capitalists. I've given my body up to science for the last two years, and this data will be out soon. There is actual, relevant data coming soon and discussions need to be had.

I know a lot of people will think I'm being dramatic, or overplaying how scary things are at the moment. I'm having to consider an exit plan from this terrible island and figure out what point enough is enough. It terrifies me to exist at the moment. I have friends getting hate crimed all the time, and my reality is that I can't look ahead to the future or make plans because I don't know if I'll be allowed to live that long. Do you have any idea what that does to someone psychologically? To constantly see your existence being put up for debate, and the other side openly calling for our eradication? I don't even know if I want to race my bike any more, the danger and everything that would come with racing makes it a pretty hard thing to justify to myself. But you have no right on telling me when I am done. This is my decision and mine alone.

Yeah, I might be speaking strongly at the moment, but this is my reality right now. It is literally a fight for survival for me and my family at the moment.

I hope the media have fun cherry-picking quotes from this and making me look hysterical.

My heart bleeds purple piss for the poor wee soul.

zibzibara · 26/05/2023 17:26

Fair Play For Women point out that the battle isn't over yet - men who call themselves women are still allowed in women's changing rooms to shower and undress, and can take part in women-only training sessions:

https://twitter.com/fairplaywomen/status/1662041276303147009

^Breaking: British Cycling departs from International Federation rules and limits women's competitive cycling to the FEMALE SEX ONLY.

Males who identify as trans or non-binary must compete in the OPEN category with other males (formerly known as the male category).^

^This is a major breakthrough for competitive cycling at all levels ... but not perfect.

Men who identify as trans or non-binary will still be allowed to join women-only training sessions and women-only recreational rides (Breeze rides).^

British Cycling still recommends that men who identify as trans or non-binary should be allowed into women-only changing rooms to undress and shower.

https://twitter.com/fairplaywomen/status/1662041276303147009

Pixiedust1234 · 26/05/2023 17:27

@zibzibara thanks so much for posting the full article, I was having trouble reading the screenshot ❤

Pity they didn't include grassroots level as well. Typical men...job half done as usual (in my personal experience).

zibzibara · 26/05/2023 17:27

(Sorry I messed up the italics again, no idea why this keeps happening.)

KateMularkey · 26/05/2023 17:28

It is literally a fight for survival for me and my family at the moment.

Does Emily understand what the word literally mean? Me thinks not. You won't die because you've been told you can't have what you want, Emily. So glad that cycling have made this decision. And the horror the TRAs are feeling about the open category just goes to prove they don't like it when the show's on the other foot. It's almost as if we'd just be better off having 2 categories split by biology...wait a minute....

zibzibara · 26/05/2023 17:30

@Pixiedust1234 no problem glad to help!

PriamFarrl · 26/05/2023 17:33

I love the ‘the open category is just the men’s category rebranded’ line.
…………….. is just men rebranded…… hmmmm

MrsAvocet · 26/05/2023 17:33

As a long time BC member who volunteers in a variety of capacities including organising races I am broadly happy about the new policy. I don't think it goes far enough as non competitive activities remain governed by gender not sex but it is a significant step forward.
The non competitive side is a different issue. Competitive policy is about fairness and safety based on physical factors and whilst I am really pleased to see this being tackled, the failure to apply something similar to leisure cycling is, on my opinion, a serious error and very dismissive of women. Women want Women Only programmes for lots if reasons of course but for many it is a safety concern about being around men , a confidence issue or a religious/cultural imperative. There may also be Safeguarding concerns as some such events also allow children. Continuing to allow male bodied people to attend such events is dismissive of those factors in my opinion.BC say they want to be inclusive, but why is inclusivity for some more important than others. Why is it more important to include a trans woman than, for instance, a Muslim woman or a woman who has experienced sexual abuse who may not attend if there is a possibility of a male bodied person being there? It seems a bit Orwellian to me...all equal but some more equal than others? There are plenty of groups, clubs and events that are open to both sexes so trans cyclists need not be excluded. But some women want and need women only activities and that's still not guaranteed. Until it is, it is them who are excluded.
But it's still a big step forward. Let's hope other things follow.

Fififafa · 26/05/2023 17:35

georgarina · 26/05/2023 16:32

It's just like a stroppy teenager responding to being punished for not cleaning their room by saying 'Well, SORRY I WAS BORN.'

Show quote history

That statement by EB just reminds me of the Harry Enfield character, Kevin the teenager, right down to the pursed lips. All I can hear is “Urgh, It’s not fair”. Think maybe Zach’s mum should have told him no, more
often. The entitlement is off the scale!

BaronMunchausen · 26/05/2023 17:50

"Do you have any idea what that does to someone psychologically? To constantly see your existence being put up for debate"

Well, yes. Ask some adult human females.

Rollercoaster1920 · 26/05/2023 17:52

BC info here: https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/about/article/20230526-about-bc-static-Update--Transgender-and-Non-Binary-Participation-policies-0

New policy applies to 'competitive events' but not Go Ride or Breeze events. The South London Go Ride racing league therefore would still need to allow 'transitioning' boys to race against the girls (U16 age range most affected).

The UCI policy overrides BC policy for international events held in England and wales. The UCI are 'looking into' their policy with a target date of August.

Update: Transgender and Non-Binary Participation policies

In April 2022, we suspended our Transgender and Non-Binary Participation Policy so that we could conduct a full review of the available medical science and carry out a targeted consultation with our communities.

https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/about/article/20230526-about-bc-static-Update--Transgender-and-Non-Binary-Participation-policies-0

BenCoopersSupportWren · 26/05/2023 17:53

zibzibara · 26/05/2023 17:27

(Sorry I messed up the italics again, no idea why this keeps happening.)

You need a ^ at the beginning and end of every paragraph you want to italicise.

Thesharkradar · 26/05/2023 17:55

Hellenabe · 26/05/2023 13:10

I do wonder how many of these trans athletes genuinely want to transition or whether they just want to be the best at any cost. Is that a mad thought? It just seems like there are so many trans athletes/sportspeople winning/making record times.

not mad at all, I think they DO want to win at any cost.
I wonder what the line up for the open event will look like?