Transgender athletes can now compete in women's sports

[SredniVashtar]

@John.S.Mill

The issue is we have an existing way of segregation that touches on a very sensitive topic. This is a very recent way of segregating, and imo, not too late to revise or amend, given what we know now.

Will people feel robbed if we segregated based on strength, or height, or weight, or endurance? If not, why? Will this feeling of being robbed only be relevant for the transition period (i.e. I could’ve gotten the scholarship if I played against people of all heights, but now I can only play amongst those that are over 6’, there’s no way I get that scholarship now)?

My guess is:

1. yes, people getting scholarships etc. will feel very robbed.
2. lots of other people will feel robbed because they like segregation.

[John.S.Mill]

@SredniVashtar

My guess is:

1. yes, people getting scholarships etc. will feel very robbed.
2. lots of other people will feel robbed because they like segregation.

Yeah, but I think only those impacted during the transition will feel robbed. Many sports already have weight segregation (wrestling, Olympic lifting). Once people know what to expect, it’s less of an issue going forward imo.

[PatientZombie]

@John.S.Mill

Many sports already have weight segregation (wrestling, Olympic lifting).

Not really relevant as these classification occurs AFTER gender separation

[soyleche]

I thought girls could be on boy’s wrestling teams in a lot of places. I may very well be wrong about that though.

[NerdAlert]

I didn’t realize how many men cared so passionately about the integrity of women’s sports!

[magillaG]

But women’s sports has more meaning than weight segregation in some sports.

It is about female empowerment and equality. And giving girls a chance to develop confidence and leadership in activities traditionally reserved for boys.

I worry that opponents are going to use this to frame the issue as a zero sum game. Girls will necessarily lose because trans girls, who are really boys, will trespass into areas not meant for them. This seems to be the argument in the UK. Less clear to me is what will be more hurtful to trans girls: the possible outcome- no sports for trans girls- or the argument itself- that not only are trans girls not really girls, but that their very being is inherently violating of “real girls”.

[PatientZombie]

in almost all sports girls can try and qualify for boys teams, especially if there is no corresponding girls team

[John.S.Mill]

@PatientZombie

Not really relevant as these classification occurs AFTER gender separation

The point is does anyone feel “robbed” because of these segregations? If not, why would cis girls feel robbed?

[PatientZombie]

because 150 lb cis girls would compete against 150 lb cis guys - it is not a fair competition

[John.S.Mill]

based on what? serena williams would decimate most guys.

And when I was in school, many of the best runners were girls.

[PatientZombie]

not male professionals, she would never win a tournament. She may win early rounds, but not even sure about that.

[Lucy]

At the highschool level and below, i really don’t see an argument for excluding transgirls. A kid’s odds of “being best” are so dependant on who else happens to be in their school. I think making sure that all kids have access to some sports in more important than exactly who has what advantage how.

[John.S.Mill]

And why is it that when we segregate based on weight and gender = “all is good”

But when we segregate based on weight but not gender = “I feel robbed”

[Lucy]

@PatientZombie

not male professionals, she would never win a tournament. She may win early rounds, but not even sure about that.

Yeah, professional sports is a different beast, and probably will continue to check hormones and other invasive stuff.

[John.S.Mill]

@PatientZombie

not male professionals, she would never win a tournament. She may win early rounds, but not even sure about that.

let’s limit it to schools then. professional sports is so fringe and has too many other considerations than just gender alone.

[PatientZombie]

who said that, I just said your comments were inherently wrong

[John.S.Mill]

not wrong for school age students

[John.S.Mill]

Anyway highschool cis-girls claiming they’re being robbed when they already enjoy the privilege of a gender segregated sport is like someone who begged to get on the bus and after they get on the bus they want the bus driver to shut the door because the bus is too full.

[SredniVashtar]

@John.S.Mill

Yeah, but I think only those impacted during the transition will feel robbed. Many sports already have weight segregation (wrestling, Olympic lifting). Once people know what to expect, it’s less of an issue going forward imo.

I mean that people enjoy gender segregation. They feel that gender is meaningful while weight is arbitrary.

[John.S.Mill]

@SredniVashtar

I mean that people enjoy gender segregation

Well, some people enjoy gender segregation