Transgender athletes

[Da Coach]

Interesting article from Sports Illustrated about transgender athletes, and where they might fit into today's sports-

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1198744/index.htm

It seem that we are making accommodations and welcoming such transgender athletes, but I strongly suspect there will be a few cases that get a lot of criticism from even those who advocate strongly for the transgender athletes. What will happen if a male transitions to a female and becomes dominant in their new sport? I do not think it will be accepted by most.

[SFP]

I'd consider myself, as a social libertarian, a bit liberal (for Peoria way to the left) and I believe if you go in this direction it is your right but you should forfeit certain other rights and competing in a physical competition should be unquestionably one. They could create their own league if they feel compelled.

[Da Coach]

I'd consider myself, as a social libertarian, a bit liberal (for Peoria way to the left) and I believe if you go in this direction it is your right but you should forfeit certain other rights and competing in a physical competition should be unquestionably one. They could create their own league if they feel compelled.

The article mainly focuses on one athlete- born Kelly Godsey- who was born a female, and has been a successful female track and field athlete her entire life (Division III All American 16 times in 4 different events). But in college, she "came out" as transgendered, and declared she wanted to live as a male. She changed her name to Keelin Godsey, and began to live life as a male, and now looks very much like a male. Godsey now lives with "his" female fiance. However, he chose to continue competing as a female, where he excels and is a strong candidate to make the US Olympic women's team.

The article lists a number of other high profile cases where athletes were transgender and chose to quit competing against their former sex, and switch to competing against their newly assigned sex. In every such case, it involves men who decide to switch to being a woman, and then compete against other women, because it is obviously easier. There are cases involving tennis, golf, soccer, and basketball.
But the Keelin Godsey case poses some serious concerns. As my mother used to say, "You can't have it both ways".
If an athlete decides to switch genders, they should not be allowed to pick and choose which sex they compete against, based not on the sex they are transitioning to, but solely based on what they would be most successful at.

The NCAA will have to decide how to deal with confusing cases like this, especially when the inevitable case arises where an athlete born male decides to switch to female and wants to compete as a female. It is just a matter of time before this happens. The article also briefly mentions a 7'1" former Central Michigan basketball player who played college basketball as a male, but is now transitioning to female. Drew Walker, now known as Lindsey Walker is considering completing the gender switch, then possible trying out for the 2016 Olympics as a woman. At 7'1", she might have a slightly unfair advantage.

[bradleybraves1]

It's a sad indictment of how far our society and common sense has fallen when something so blatantly obvious to most people can't be regulated effectively due to today's standards of political correctness that is being mandated by fringe radical groups.

[ChewaBrave]

Interesting article. I suppose I could look up bylaws and whatnot (its too late in the evening to be that inquisitive), but I'm not sure how sex is determined for the purposes of the NCAA, or whichever body is relevant - but if they fit the bill for their preferred category, let em play.

[Da Coach]

Interesting article. I suppose I could look up bylaws and whatnot (its too late in the evening to be that inquisitive), but I'm not sure how sex is determined for the purposes of the NCAA, or whichever body is relevant - but if they fit the bill for their preferred category, let em play.

Here is what is said in that SI article about the NCAA-

In 2004 the International Olympic Committee ventured the first answer, ruling that any trans athlete who wants to compete against those not of their birth sex must undergo sex reassignment surgery and then two years of hormone therapy??”either testosterone supplementation (to go from female to male) or testosterone suppression (to go from male to female). But last August the NCAA, which had previously deferred to government-issued documentation for gender classification, released a 38-page handbook that took a different approach. Guided by a think tank held with the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) in '09, the organization decided against requiring surgeries, which typically cost five figures and aren't covered by insurance. Genitalia, the NCAA concluded, do not impact athletic performance.

In a further departure from the IOC rules, NCAA guidelines stipulate that trans females need to undergo only one year of testosterone suppression before they can compete against women; trans males can receive a medical exemption to take testosterone under a doctor's supervision but can no longer compete on a women's team.

Following the NCAA's lead, a handful of colleges have created their own transgender inclusion policies. Bates was among the first, in April 2011. This year major-conference schools such as Cal and Syracuse have done the same...

In the matters of toilets, changing areas and showers, NCAA guidelines recommend that athletes be allowed to use whatever fits their gender identity (and that, before away games, school officials consult the athlete and then confidentially notify the host school to ensure "access to facilities that are comfortable and safe").

[Chico]

I'd consider myself, as a social libertarian, a bit liberal (for Peoria way to the left) and I believe if you go in this direction it is your right but you should forfeit certain other rights and competing in a physical competition should be unquestionably one. They could create their own league if they feel compelled.

I for one wouldn't pay a penny to go watch them perform. I'd wait for the real circus to come to town.

[Da Coach]

I for one wouldn't pay a penny to go watch them perform. I'd wait for the real circus to come to town.

The Bradleyfans sensitivity monitors have ruled that this statement crosses the line and is insensitive to transgendered people who already suffer greatly with being placed in the wrong body.

I believe we will require Chico to undergo our 42 week sensitivity training course, and then release him with a sensitivity TASER device attached to his genitals.

[SFP]

The Bradleyfans sensitivity monitors have ruled that this statement crosses the line and is insensitive to transgendered people who already suffer greatly with being placed in the wrong body.

I believe we will require Chico to undergo our 42 week sensitivity training course, and then release him with a sensitivity TASER device attached to his genitals.

LMAO and at Chico's comment!

[ChewaBrave]

I for one wouldn't pay a penny to go watch them perform. I'd wait for the real circus to come to town.

cool dude.

[Future Walk-On]

this is when I like Peoria and its conservatism! (for the most part i like it all the time*)

[Chico]

I for one wouldn't pay a penny to go watch them perform. I'd wait for the real circus to come to town.

Just found out that the real circus will at Carver Arena on Oct 13.

[tornado]

ok- here's a dilemma... interesting topic

In Texas, they have High School GIRLS Wrestling and their state tournament is underway...

so- is this fair??

A wrestler who was born a girl but who is now a "transgender boy" (he IS taking testosterone for the process of makign him "masculine")
But, since he was born a girl, he wrestles in the girls tournament (probably wouldn't go nearly so far if he wrestled in the boys tournament - wouldn't ya think?)

Well, she/he wins over his girl opponent...creating a little of a "conflict" ..and claims that it's "cheating"
"Mack Beggs" is now 53-0 wrestling against girls... seems a little fishy to me...but I have yet to hear anyone who has a solution to this.
If you allow this same student to wrestle against boys, I guarantee he wouldn't be 53-0 and possibly might be 0-53, and then he'd be the one complaining it's not fair.

http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/transgender-boy-wins-round-girls-tournament-45718165

Here's a picture of Mack Beggs who is wrestling as a girl

http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2017/02/24/transgender-boy-in-texas-wins-in-1st-round-of-girls-tournament/

[Chico]

Some would do anything to get a win.

[bradleyfan124]

So Question: If they ban athletes for taking substances that enhance their performance then should she/he be banned for taking testosterone?