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Should Transgender Athletes Be Able To Compete In Women's Sports Essay

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In recent discussions with transgender athletes, a controversial issue has emerged whether transgender athletes should be able to compete in women’s sports. On the one hand, supporters contend that “allowing transgender women to compete in women's sports argues that no evidence exists that trans women are ruining athletics or displacing cisgender women” (Issues & Controversies). From this perspective, transgender athletes should be allowed to participate in women’s sports. On the other hand, however, opposers argue that transgender athletes should not be able to compete in women’s sports. “Opponents of allowing transgender women to compete in women's sports argue that it is an objective and proven fact that, broadly speaking, people born male …show more content…

These factors gave Thomas an unfair advantage over her cisgender female competitors. Allowing such advantages to exist compromises the principles of fair competition. Cato Institute Transgender athletes are frequently setting new records in women’s sports which undermines the achievements of their hard working cisgender female competitors. Several notable examples of transgender athletes winning in women competitions include CeCe Telfer’s victory in the NCAA Division II 400-meter hurdles event, Laurel Hubbard achieving multiple gold medals at an international women's powerlifting competition, and Rachel McKinnon winning the Masters Track Cycling World Championship in 2018 and 2019. (Issues and Controversies) Transgender athletes competing in women’s sports compromises the rights of cisgender female athletes. The inclusion of transgender athletes in women’s sports poses a threat to the rights of transgender female athletes. Riley Gaines, a former collegiate swimmer at the University of Kentucky who competed against Lia Thomas, voiced her concerns before Congress stating, “Under the proposed rule, women’s sports aren’t just for …show more content…

If allowed, this will endanger women in sports and private spaces and take away opportunities for women in sports and academia. Never in a million years did I think I would be sitting here at 56 fighting to get back the rights that were given to women and girls 51 years ago.” Title IX is a federal civil rights law that prohibits sex based discrimination in any educational institution that receives funding from the federal government. For more than half a century, Title IX has ensured equal athletic opportunities for female athletes. US Department of Education (US Department of Education) However, the Biden Administration is pushing to make a significant modification to Title IX to accommodate transgender athletes by allowing them to compete according to their gender identity alongside cisgender athletes. (Jack Wolfsohn, Legislative Correspondent in the United States Senate) This modification would prioritize inclusion over fairness which jeopardizes the rights and opportunities of cisgender female

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