Transgender Professional Athletes
 

I have be reticent to post this thread for the last few days but I feel that this is a super interesting and important topic and truly would like to have a discussion about this.
Posting this in the Trans Zone, not because I only want Trans folks to respond (I want *everyone* to feel free to post) but because I feel that this is an issue central to the Trans community (and really, all of our communities).

I read an article recently about Professional MMA fighter Fallon Fox. Fallon is one of the very first Transgender athletes to compete in MMA fighting competitions openly. Naturally, she competes in the female category for MMA fighting.

This has sparked some extreme controversy and some pretty Transphobic comments from folks within the MMA league and even from fans. Many folks feel that since Fallon was born with male parts, she should not qualify to fight against folks born into Female bodies. (and please forgive me if I am being clumsy with language here, trying my best to use the most respectful and correct language).

I'm curious what folks here think. I know this is not just a cut and dry "yes or no" answer and I am still educating myself on this issue but welcome any thoughts.

I believe there was some other controversy a few years back with a Transgender runner competing in the female cross-country marathon and a potentially "unfair" advantage. I'll try to dig up that information so it can be part of this discussion.

As always, please remain respectful!

I will come back with a more thoughtful post after I look into this, but my first hit; It's deja vu all over again.

I was 15 in 1976 when Renee Richards was denied entry into the US Open, in 1977 she made me think life could be possible when the courts overturned it.

For me it is pretty simple.

If the male bodied person (assumingly XY) is on testosterone blockers, they can play/should play women's sports.

If the female bodied person (assumingly XX), is on testosterone, they can/should play men's sports.

It's the T that gives the advantage/takes away the physical advantages.

I looked up Fallon Fox (I had never heard of her). Her testicles were removed, so it is not like she could even "pretend" to be on T blockers. She most likely has less testosterone than most cis females now, actually.

Interesting Topic
 

http://www.news10.net/images/640/360.../219859/18.jpg


http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/def...?itok=1EZfecph

Vagina, could you explain why you posted the pictures?

I don't understand the context.

Thanks.

Vagina-

Please explain the reason behind posting these photos?

Without context, and based on things you have posted elsewhere on the site, I am concerned that you are posting these photos for negative reasons.

To be clear, I don't want that. I don't want a Trans-shaming thread and I don't want this conversation to be ugly or negative.

Thanks,
Mme

But, you compete with the men, right?

The issue is when an xx bodied person uses testosterone (therefore having the muscle mass of xy bodied person) and competes against female. The issue is about unfair advantage.

Personally, I see no reason why you personally should have to share your medical status if you are competing in men's racing. It is not like the cis guys have to share their medical information.

Medusa,

Personally, I would prefer you remove the image, regardless of intent. I don't know any trans* individuals who would want their "before" pictures shown without their prior approval. It is disrespectful.

The photos are meant to show what females are supposed to compete against.

Especially in a sport like ultimate fighting, it's dangerous to put a transitioned male bodied person in the ring or cage with a female. Fallon probably has that muscular body working out 1 hour a day. A female would have to devote her whole life and 8 hours a day to training to get a muscular physique that is nowhere near Fallon's.

WHAT females are supposed to compete against?

Oh lord, this is going to go down hill really fucking fast.

She has no testicles. She actually has less testosterone than you do, as she can no longer produce any. YOU are making testosterone. SHE (that would be transgender female), isn't.

SO, her body is from working as hard or harder than the other women.

Actually, her adrenal glands can still produce testosterone, but this is true for non-trans women as well.

I'd assumed that was implied in the qualifier that it's also true for non-trans women, whom no one argues produce testosterone at the same rate as men, but thank you for the clarification.