As of May 24, 2022, 18 states have placed laws and regulations that either ban or limit transgender athletes from participating in sports. Many conservative policymakers aim to restrict athletes to only participating in sports under their assigned birth gender. Their main reasoning for doing so is that trans athletes have a "biological advantage" over cisgender athletes, particularly within women's sports. While there are some biological differences, many activists argue that these policymakers are more concerned with excluding trans athletes than ensuring fairness.

There are certain biological and anatomical differences between sexes, the main ones relating to overall strength, endurance and lean body mass. For example, according tohealthshots.com, biologically male individuals have higher testosterone levels than biologically female individuals. This hormone makes it easier for them to burn away fat and gain muscle. On the other hand, biologically female people have higher estrogen levels, making losing fat and gaining muscle more challenging.

However, there are many other factors to consider, which involve training and practice more so than biological traits. All athletes undergo some level of physical training that requires effort to build their physique and technique. Skills such as hand-eye coordination and sports-specific techniques must be learned and repeatedly practiced.

Joanna Harper is a medical physicist at Loughborough University, as well as being a trans athlete herself. In her March 2021 study, she says that while there are some biological differences for trans athletes, it isn't unfair for them to compete since there are so many other factors to consider besides biology. Her study, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, on trans athletes in women's sports found that testosterone suppressants reduced hemoglobin levels in trans women to the same levels as cisgender women, negating the advantage.

"After four months of hormone therapy, trans women have [hemoglobin and hematocrit] levels equivalent to those of cisgender women," according to Harper's study. "After 12 months of hormone therapy, significant decreases in measures of strength, [lean body mass] and muscle area are observed."

Additionally, many activists argue that conservative policymakers want to restrict trans athletes because they are transphobic, not because they actually want to keep women's sports fair. Many believe that these authority figures express little to no interest in women's sports most of the time, except when trans rights come into play. Women's sports are not as popular as men's sports and generally do not receive as much attention or funding. For example, the U.S. Soccer Federation only established a deal to pay both the Men's and Women's National Teams an equal amount this past May.

Moreover, "biological advantages" only seem to be a problem when the athlete is transgender. There are plenty of athletes with unique biological factors, but they are not excluded from sports. For instance, basketball player Shaquille O'Neal is 7 feet 1 inch tall, giving him an advantage against opposing players. Another example is Michael Phelps, whose wingspan is longer than his height, which provides him with an edge in swimming. He is also hyper-jointed and double-jointed, which helps him bend his ankles and kick from his chest.

Even though athletes like Phelps and O'Neal have clear and distinct biological advantages, they are not banned from competing. In contrast, trans athletes' rights are constantly being debated for more minuscule advantages.

The transgender flag shown in front of UNC Charlotte's Jerry Richardson Stadium.

Here at Charlotte, the University has some trans athletes' participation policies. There are different recommendations for trans athletes, depending on whether they are undergoing hormone treatment and which type of treatment they receive. It is important to note that not all trans individuals undergo hormone therapy or gender-affirming surgery.

In summary, with hormone treatment, male-to-female athletes may participate on women's teams after one year, while female-to-male athletes may compete on men's teams if they are on medically prescribed testosterone. The University's policies seem to aim for equity and inclusivity, using the NCAA's Inclusion of Transgender Handbook guidelines. Additionally, any athlete undergoing hormone treatment must be monitored by a physician and give regular reports to demonstrate the athlete's eligibility.

"In any case where a student-athlete is taking hormone treatment related to gender transition, that treatment must be monitored by a physician, and the NGB must receive regular reports about the athlete's eligibility according to these guidelines," said the Trans Resources section on Charlotte'swebsite.

Many activists are advocating for the exclusion of trans athletes. "It's important that transgender people continue to experience the social, physical, and cultural benefits of athletics," said the Gender Justice organization in theirtrans equity campaign. "Sports institutions must respect the dignity and humanity of transgender people by ensuring their ability to participate."

Ultimately, while there are some biological advantages that transgender women have over cisgender women, the policymakers who complain about trans athletes are primarily doing so out of transphobianot out of genuine concern for women's sports. Many more factors contribute to an athlete's abilities than what they are born with, like learned skills. Inclusivity is essential, and trans athletes deserve to be able to see themselves represented in sports.

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The excuses for the exclusion of trans athletes - Niner Times

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