The inclusion of transgender athletes and hyperandrogenism in sport has long been seen as controversial, particularly in the realm of women’s sport, where claims of unfairness have been levelled at transgender competitors who are often considered to have a physiological advantage. The high court in Germany ruled recently in favour of the introduction of a third gender category for individuals who do not identify as either male or female, or are born with an ambiguous sexual anatomy, and this ruling is in line with at least ten nations or states that allow a third legal gender.
In this talk, Joanna Harper and Professor Yannis Pitsiladis will consider the implications of a third gender for elite sport, and present a roadmap to guide the implementation of rules for the inclusion for transgender and intersex athletes. Both sex (the biological components that make an individual male, female or somewhere in between) and gender (the sociological components of the male/female divide) are complex. In the attempt to separate athletes into male and female categories, the speakers will assert that only those sex and/or gender based qualities that are important for athletic performance should be looked at, and that evidence-based scientific research should be the foundation for making decisions on participation in sex-segregated sports. The concept of an athletic gender should be established in order to facilitate this segregation.
Beyond Fairness: The biology of inclusion for transgender and intersex athletes
Joanna Harper and Professor Yannis Pitsiladis
Tuesday 20 March 2018 at 6:30pm.
Sallis Benney Theatre
Grand Parade Building
Brighton BN2 0JY
This is a free event and all are welcome. If you would like to attend, please register online no later than 48 hours prior to the event.