Is this journalism? The Guardian article on trans youth in US sport

[Moroccanblue]

Am I alone in thinking this is a ridiculous article? Totally biased, no questions, no alternative view, no challenge...Although I guess it accurately reflects that ' non trans' humans are supporting cast only and their opinion and rights are irrelevant....https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/13/trans-youth-athletes-ban-supreme-court-caseGuardian article

It's journalism US style, aimed squarely at its California readership.

No you're not alone. There are no interviews with the girls who didn't win gold and silver medals because a trans identifying male chose to compete in their category. The whole article hangs on the false premiss that the trans-ban would prevent trans athletes from participation whereas all it seeks to do is make them participate in sport categories for their natal sex.

I wish they didn't keep talking about 'bans'! They all do it! The Guardian, the Mail, all of them. No-one is being prevented from playing sport, and it is dishonest to imply otherwise.

The article is Californicated rubbish, of course.

Totally agree. I guess "told to play in the category of their biological sex" (or similar wording) is too long for a snappy headline.

I've just realised it's the same article as discussed in this thread:
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/womens_rights/5475185-the-guardian-on-trans-athletes

Sam Levin, you are a terrible journalist.

"Some expressed frustration and anxiety about the national debates focused on “fairness” in competition"

It must be really upsetting for them knowing they cannot cheat at sports.

Ah I did check but missed this. Will have a look thanks

Here you are OP. Maybe this will provide a nice counter action.

https://x.com/KristenWaggoner/status/2011468583138689315?s=20

These two women being interviewed kept the discussion on the female athletes. Every time.
And very clearly flipped the discussion from 'but what about those male athletes who just want to be included' to pointing out that the athlete at the heart of the case being heard has directly displaced 400+ girls and stating clearly that why aren't people asking why those 400 + girls are being considered how they feel.

The media outlets have generally had to keep repeating the fact that the majority of the USA population does not support male people being included in female sport. I think this strips away the political alignment argument that so many people repeat unthinkingly. It is also heartening to see those media outlets have to keep stating that there is no evidence that testosterone suppression does not remove male advantage.

That was wonderful. Such powerful modelling for these conversations.

Thank you for finding and posting Helleofabore!

I suppose you might argue that the TIM athletes are not good enough to make the men's teams, so effectively it's a ban. But a ban from cheating their way into a position they're not talented enough to achieve on their own merits.

I've also seen a couple of stories about one plaintiff's treatment of girls who objected to competing and sharing changing rooms with him. Very 'toilets row at the NAG Awards' energy, if true.

When I saw it yesterday, I laughed with the sheer delight of hearing it said so clearly on an international news service like CNN. Five years ago we were seeing Hubbard in the Olympics and now we have women, including young women, succinctly and clearly pointing out that even including 1 male athlete impacts many.

Here are a couple of links to posts on the Sports Archive thread which track the impacts of male athlete.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/womens_rights/5142027-save-female-sports-evidence-thread?reply=142931359&utm_campaign=reply&utm_medium=share

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/womens_rights/5142027-save-female-sports-evidence-thread?reply=149172973&utm_campaign=reply&utm_medium=share

And IS INCLUSIVE ALWAYS ‘INCLUSIVE’

A good explainer from Jon Pike.

https://x.com/sportseenuk/status/1978358073887502530?s=46

Inclusive is a word that has lost meaning, people now use it to mean "good." See also, diverse.