Transgender Participation Research Articles

“I’m the Kind of Trans They Don’t Care About”: Experiences of Trans-Masculine Athletes in the National Collegiate Athletic Association

In 2022, transgender swimmer Lia Thomas reignited longstanding debates about fairness in sport, and by August 2023, 23 states had enacted legislation restricting transgender athletic participation. While trans-feminine athletes are often seen as a “threat” to women’s sports, the experiences of trans-masculine athletes are often overlooked. Based on interviews with 13 trans-masculine athletes in the National Collegiate Athletic Association, I explore how they navigate gender identity while participating in gendered, competitive sport. I find that their (trans)gender identities and identities as athletes became inseparable and were mutually constituted. Additionally, I argue that their experiences in sport are contingent on their trans-masculine identities. While not the primary targets of antitrans policy, their experiences were impacted by broader, antitrans rhetoric and legislative efforts to restrict transgender participation.

Transgender Athletes’ Testimonies of Existence and Resistance: Breaking Gender Binaries in Online Women’s Sports Media

Within an increasingly polarized media environment, transgender inclusion within sport has become a political wedge issue and, accordingly, a newsworthy topic. This study adds to the literature on media representation of transgender athletes by focusing on coverage within five women’s sports media outlets. Through a critical discourse analysis of 190 media artifacts, this study considers how the outlets discursively construct transgender and nonbinary athletes and engage in conversations around transgender inclusion within sport. Findings show that women’s sports media outlets foreground the legality of transgender athletic participation and the humanity of transgender athletes. Moreover, the outlets are understood here as a counterpublic where media organizations embrace an explicitly activist stance.

Perception Matters: Attitudes Toward Transgender Inclusion in Campus Recreational Sports

The participation of transgender individuals in sporting spaces continues to receive increased attention in both popular media and in academic scholarship. However, while attention is growing, little is known about the attitudes the general public holds toward transgender sport participation. This is particularly true when it comes to attitudes participants hold toward transgender persons and their participation in recreational sport programming. As such, this study quantitatively explores the attitudes of intramural and club sport participants across the United States toward transgender persons and transgender participation in recreational sport programming. Specifically, results emphasize (a) the general attitudes of recreational sport participants toward transgender persons, (b) the attitudes of recreational sport participants toward the participation of transgender persons in recreational sport programs, (c) differences in attitudes by gender, and (d) differences in attitudes by program area (intramural vs club sport). Discussion of these differences and practical implications for recreational sports are considered.

Equity in Play: Analyzing Legal and Ethical Views on Transgender Participation in Sports

Equity in Play: Analyzing Legal and Ethical Views on Transgender Participation in Sports

TRANSGENDER’S RIGHTS TO SPORT COMPETITIONS FOLLOWING THE NEW RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE (2021)

The topic of human rights is taking on new relevant forms, especially when it comes to transgender rights. Their right to participate in sports has always been a subject of much debate. In November 2021 the International Olympic Committee adopted the new recommendations “Framework on Equity, Inclusion and Non-Discrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity and Intersex” on transgender people, which declared that each federation has to decide for itself when setting its own rules regarding the right of these people to participate in sports competitions. So, one thing is clear there is no common position on this issue. The article aims to reveal the practical aspects of such regulation regarding the possibilities and limitations of transgender participation in individual sports. The applied research methods are analysis of legal acts and other documents, review of articles and scientific literature, and qualitative comparative analysis. The research results showed that despite the principles specified in the Framework prohibiting discrimination, in practice these principles can be difficult to harmonize, especially if we speak about fair competition and equal opportunities.

The perspective of current and retired world class, elite and national athletes on the inclusion and eligibility of transgender athletes in elite sport

ABSTRACT There has been limited empirical study allowing athletes to voice their opinions on transgender participation in elite sport. This study surveyed 175 national, elite and world class athletes eligible to compete in the female category regarding transgender inclusion and eligibility. The study compared current Olympic versus current Olympic Recognised sports, elite versus world class, and current versus retired Olympic sport athletes. Most athletes favoured biological sex categorisation (58%) and considered it unfair for trans women to compete in the female category, except for precision sports. This view was held most strongly by world class athletes regarding their own sport (77% unfair, 15% fair). For trans men inclusion in the male category, most athletes considered it fair, except for Olympic sport athletes regarding contact sports (49% unfair, 27% fair) and sports heavily reliant on physical capacity (53% unfair, 29% fair). Notwithstanding those views, athletes (81%) believed sporting bodies should improve inclusivity for transgender athletes. Opinion varied somewhat according to career stage, competitive level and sport type. Nevertheless, athletes in the present study favoured categorisation by biological sex and did not support trans women eligibility for the female category in sports reliant on performance-related biological factors that differ between sexes.

The politics of exclusion: Analyzing U.S. state responses to interscholastic transgender athletes

ABSTRACT This paper provides a baseline characterisation of legislative action against transgender people participating in U.S. interscholastic sport. Using Kingdon’s multiple streams approach, we analyse legislation across the 50 states using data up to 1 October 2022. We also analyse qualitative data from public officials to document the framing and justification of legislative efforts. Our findings are clustered into four categories – legislators in states that have enacted legislation to prevent transgender participation in school sport (n = 19), those that have introduced legislation (n = 23), those that have not (yet) taken action (n = 7), and those that have progressive legislation requiring schools to permit participation by gender identity (n = 1). Our data suggest that national-level interest groups have played a critical role in policy diffusion across the states, leveraging the problem window in an intensely contested context, using sporting, judicial, and political focusing events to draw attention to the perceived problem. These dynamics have resulted in solutions searching for problems. Moreover, the issue of transgender inclusion in sport (a subset of legislative efforts against transgender people) has escalated a form of symbolic politics which is as much about partisan contestation as it is about addressing a perceived problem. While we recognise that the issue is complex, we believe that there are other solutions – beyond outright exclusion from school sport – that should be more fully explored. Because exclusionary policies claim to uphold sport’s fundamental values, sport organisations can lead on this issue by clearly defining these values and translating them into pragmatic policy solutions.

Social Inclusion of Transgender People in Intercollegiate Sports—A Scoping Review

Transgender individuals face discrimination and exclusion in various areas of society, including sports. Notably, intercollegiate athletics suffer criticism for their lack of inclusivity towards transgender athletes. Despite the increasing visibility of transgender individuals and ongoing efforts towards greater inclusivity, there is a significant lack of research on their social integration within college sports. This scoping review aimed to explore the then-current state of research on the social integration of transgender individuals in intercollegiate athletics, identify gaps in the literature, and suggest areas for further investigation. The study examined articles published between 2013 and 2023, using databases such as PubMed, ERIC, and EBSCO Essentials, as well as relevant citations from selected articles. The inclusion criteria for articles were their focus on the social integration of transgender individuals in sports events, publication in English, and relevance to the research question. A standardized technique based on the PRISMA flow diagram 2020 was used to locate, assess, and extract information from eligible research. The results of the study are expected to inform policy and strategy in transgender participation in college sports and promote greater inclusivity for transgender individuals in sports institutions and groups.

Journalists on a Journey: Towards Responsible Media on Transgender Participation in Sport

ABSTRACT This paper draws upon interviews to reveal how a small minority of journalists are working towards more ethical approaches to representing transgender participation in sport. Writing in a context of a growing transphobic discourse in both the mainstream media and public sentiment, we examine the learning journeys of six sport journalists reporting on transgender weightlifter Laurel Hubbard’s participation in the Tokyo Olympic Games. The paper reveals variable reflexive considerations; ongoing efforts to educate themselves, colleagues and readers; varying levels of care in sourcing practices (i.e., members of the transgender community; scientists and anti-trans groups); and considerations about their responsibilities amidst rising transphobic discourse and online abuse. Engaging with recent writings on journalistic ethics and reflection-in-practice, this paper offers an example of the possibilities for more reflexive and responsible reporting on issues of social and political importance.

Understand how proposed Title IX rule could impact transgender participation in athletics

Against the backdrop of an increasing number of states enacting laws that prohibit or limit the participation of transgender students in athletics other than on teams of their biological sex at birth, the U.S. Department of Education issued a proposed change to Title IX's regulations that would directly address such participation at a national level.

Gender Biasness in Participation in Indian Politics: A Theoretical Understanding of Transgender Community

This study provides a theoretical understanding of gender biases in Indian politics, particularly associated with the transgender community, and broadly focuses on gender discrimination in the Indian political system. Although some studies have examined issues and problems of political participation of males and females, most have failed to examine transgender participation in politics, particularly in Indian politics. Most of the researchers reported transgender community unable to articulate their point of view because society sees them in different perspectives rather than their unusual activities. The aim of the study is to understand gender biases in the Indian political system, particularly those associated with the transgender community. The study revealed new experiences by reviewing the previously published studies on the transgender community and highlighted major gaps in research, especially from gender perspectives. The study highlights gender biases and discrimination in political affairs still prevalent in Indian society. The article concludes by recommending some suggestions that the existing Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019mustproperly be implemented and government must encourage and generate new initiatives for maximum involvement of transgender in Indian politics in particular.

Transgender inclusion in competitive sport: athletes’ attitudes toward transgender athlete participation in intercollegiate sport

ABSTRACT Legislators who support current anti-transgender, sport-focused legislation argue that they are protecting cisgender athletes who oppose transgender inclusion. In particular, laws are being proposed and passed that aim to prevent transgender women from participating on women’s sports teams. However, little is known about whether athletes themselves are concerned about inclusion of transgender athletes. To fill this gap in the literature, we recruited 270 current and former intercollegiate athletes in the United States between September 2020 and April 2021 to participate in a quantitative study. Participants completed questions about scenarios involving a trans man athlete and a trans woman athlete, general attitudes toward transgender people, sport-specific attitudes toward transgender people, and religiosity. Our primary research questions were: do athletes generally support inclusion of binary transgender people in sport and how is support associated with variables measured in the study? Analyses included descriptive statistics, correlations, and t-tests. Results indicated that levels of support for transgender people were associated with a variety of sport-related variables. Namely, women were significantly more supportive of transgender athlete inclusion compared to men, and individuals who had prior contact with transgender people outside of support were significantly more supportive of transgender people both within and outside of sport. Participants demonstrated inconsistencies in beliefs that may be associated with unfamiliarity or misunderstandings of transgender terminology and issues. Policy implications and implications for transgender athletes are discussed.

Exploring the Reasons for Non-Participation in Sports: A Case Study of Transgenders in Punjab, Pakistan

This study aims to investigate the factors that contribute to the non-participation of transgender individuals in sports. Despite the recognized benefits of sports participation, such as improved physical and mental health, transgender individuals are less likely to participate in sports due to various barriers. A cross-sectional survey design was adopted for this study, and a purposive sample of 118 individuals with a mean age of 22 was selected using snowball sampling. The researchers developed and pilot-tested a questionnaire to collect data on the factors contributing to non-participation in sports among transgender individuals. The study findings revealed that almost all transgender individuals recognized the importance of sports participation in their lives. However, different factors, including societal, governmental, and personal characteristics, significantly contributed to their non-participation in sports. The results of this study suggest the need for legislative and policy interventions to address the societal and governmental factors that hinder transgender individuals' sports participation. Policymakers should prioritize creating safe and inclusive sports environments and implementing policies and programs to support transgender individuals' sports participation which can improve their overall health and wellbeing and promote social inclusion. This study provides valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders to address barriers to sports participation among transgender individuals.

Media Framings of the Transgender Athlete as “Legitimate Controversy”: The Case of Laurel Hubbard at the Tokyo Olympics

In this paper, we draw upon Hallin’s typology of journalistic writing to examine the role of the media in framing transgender participation in sport as a ‘legitimate controversy’, and thus up for public debate. Focusing on the media coverage before, during and after New Zealand weightlifter Laurel Hubbard’s debut at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, we reveal three key strategies used by journalists to frame the topic in polarizing terms: i) sourcing practices, ii) use of science, and iii) questioning of policy. Findings show that Hubbard’s voice and personal experiences were often left out of stories, replaced instead by the ‘authoritative’ voices of scientists and others (i.e., politicians, athletes, anti-trans groups) questioning her Olympic qualification and the International Olympic Committee policy for transgender athletes. Such framings prompt readers to ‘take a side’ in a polarizing debate, rather than encouraging more nuanced, ethical and empathetic responses to a complex issue. This study ultimately highlights the critical role that journalists play in controlling, shaping and/or shifting public opinion regarding the future of sport as an exclusionary or truly inclusive space.

Striving for gender equity at theMedical Journal of Australia

Striving for gender equity at the<i>Medical Journal of Australia</i>

Equity or Discrimination: Addressing Legal Challenges to Transgender Participation in U.S. High School and College Sport

The visibility of transgender athletes in elite sport recently prompted concern surrounding the potential competitive advantages for transgender women who underwent through male puberty before transitioning. In the United States, several states passed legislation banning transgender women from high school and/or college sport for the purpose of removing this advantage and keeping sport equitable for cisgender women. While these laws seek to protect women’s sports, does the exclusion of transgender athletes from sports connected to their chosen gender identity lead to another form of sex discrimination? This paper addresses the legality of transgender participation bans and related lawsuits. As these legislative changes and the lawsuits challenging them are on-going, this paper presents a snapshot and assessment of these policies in the United States in 2021, whether they are likely to withstand challenge under the current legal system, and how sport organizations may respond when the law is not clear.

NCAA leaves transgender participation up to national governing bodies

The NCAA approved a new policy calling for transgender participation to be determined by each sport's national governing body policy, subject to ongoing review and recommendation by the NCAA Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports to the Board of Governors. If there's no NGB policy for a sport, that sport's international federation policy would be followed. If there's no international federation policy, previously established IOC policy criteria would be followed.

Sex Segregation and the Participation of Transgender Adults in Recreational Sport in British Columbia, Canada

Abstract The lack of a formal policy on transgender participation in recreational sport results in transgender people struggling alone with stigmatization. Recreational sport guidelines identify inclusion as an imperative in recreational sport participation, yet they have failed to lay out the means to achieve it. Considering this issue and opportunity, the purpose of this case study is to determine how transgender adults’ participation in recreational sport in British Columbia (BC), Canada is informed by their experiences with sex-based segregation structures in recreational sport and, secondly, to inform an enhanced and intentional change in transgender-inclusive policies and practices in terms of sex-based segregation structures in recreational sport in BC, Canada. VIU logo WLCE logo Information Vancouver Island University World Leisure Centre of Excellence © Tung Nguyen 2022

Sport Is for Everyone: A Legal Roadmap for Transgender Participation in Sport

Sport is a vehicle for social change and should be leveraged as such in 2021 and beyond to address matters of equality. In recent years, the public has paid greater attention to transgender athletes participating in sport at all levels—high school, collegiate, professional, and Olympic—despite the fact that transgender athletes have been competing in sports for decades. Backlash has arisen in general but also more specifically in response to several recent Supreme Court cases that have both solidified and extended rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and other gender and sexual minorities. In turn, state laws that seek to limit the rights of transgender students to participate in sports have been drafted around the country. To be sure, these laws are often built on erroneous data, a misunderstanding of facts, and ignorance, but their existence continues to fuel the public debate on whether transgender athletes should be allowed to participate based on their gender identity or their sex as determined at birth.

A history of transgender women in Australian Sports, 1976–2017

ABSTRACT Although debates about transgender women in sport have been prominent in recent years, there is a much longer history of transgender participation in sport. This article uses oral history interviews and media to examine Australia’s history of transgender women’s participation in sport since the late 1970s. It explores the public debates around gender, sex, the body, and ‘fair play discourse’ as expressed around specific transgender athletes. It also examines the lived experience of those transgender sportswomen and analyses how they used gender presentation to affirm their femininity. Indeed, gender presentation and transgender (in)visibility heavily influenced whether teammates, opponents, sporting associations, and the media accepted transgender athletes in their affirmed gender. The presence of transgender women in sport consistently exposed anxieties around gender, sex, and the body because they exposed rigid understandings of gender binarism. Examining the long history of transgender women in Australian sport reveals how longstanding debates have played out in a variety of settings, with transgender athletes regularly searching for ways to affirm their gender and navigate sporting communities.