The UK Athletics confirmed on the 31st of March and Trans Day of Visibility that they plan to uphold their ban on trans women from being able to participate in female sports.
Norwich Pride’s statement: “This ban will increase discrimination against all athletes and Norwich Pride opposes it. There is no evidence that bringing in such a ban will protect anyone; in fact the anti-trans rhetoric will fuel more hatred towards our trans siblings which is unacceptable and wrong. We continue to support trans women and trans men competing in sport.
World Athletics should focus on tackling barriers to women in sport that are well documented such as stopping sexual assaults, addressing unequal pay, tackling misogynistic bullying, lack of financial access or racism.”
It targets those who have gone through hormonal transitioning that can alter testosterone levels. The ban also increases stigma around what women’s bodies should and shouldn’t be for cis-women, as those who appear too masculine to society’s current standards may come under question when competing.
Di from the Proud Canaries feels that the changes in the World Athletics regulations don’t reflect the trans and non-binary athletic community and aren’t based on any factual evidence. There are no scientific reasons to exclude trans and non-binary individuals from competing in sports categories that reflect their gender. Di has played sports with trans athletes and has always enjoyed competing with and against them, “as someone who’s played recreational women’s football alongside and against trans players I can say my experience was generally enriched by their involvement.”
On the 31st of March to celebrate Trans Day of Visibility an all-trans men and trans masculine football team TRUK United FC competed against a cis-men’s football team. This was the first time in European history for an all-trans team to play against a cis-men’s team. The match had over 500 supporters attend, and hopefully will help show how important trans inclusion in sports is as all who watched from the side-line had a positive time.
The match was put together to raise funds and support TRUK Listens (part of Trans Radio UK), which supports trans community members mental health by offering a counselling phoneline service.
Norwich Pride 