Inclusivity in Motion
on trans inclusion in sports
on trans inclusion in sports
The participation of transgender individuals in sports transcends mere discussion—it is a matter of equality and inclusion. Beyond trans athletes themselves, multiple parties such as religious institutions, sports governing bodies (SGBs), sports science researchers, psychologists, and cisgender athletes contribute different perspectives on where trans people are and can be located in sports. Thus, it can be said that trans inclusion in sports has been researched from multiple angles. The most important of these angles however, does not end with just their participation; it is essential that we acknowledge the psychological and social benefits of inclusion as well, such as identity formation, self-esteem, empowerment, representation, and a sense of belonging (Gleaves and Lehrbach, 2016). In other words, this topic is also one of social justice and social change. Furthermore, recognizing trans athletes’ marginalization in sports humanizes them outside of their athlete role (Pérez-Samaniego et al., 2019) and dismantles the misguided notion of their “otherness.”
On the macro level, cultural norms and institutionalized practices in society—in which sports organizations are embedded—influence the situation for transgender persons in sports. The binary (male-female) gender order and the male dominance which are reproduced in sports organizations, as well as the rigid sex-segregated structure of competition constitute barriers for transgender participation in organized sports. Transgender athletes are seen “as outsiders or others, because their gender identity [do] not match the institutionalized ways that sport has been traditionally organized” (Cunningham, 2012, p. 9).
The subject matter is often framed as a hotly debated topic, questioning fairness, inclusivity, and the integrity of the athletic competition. However, this is not a simple debate but a complex matter of human rights and equality. This unfounded belief has led to discriminatory practices, such as banning transgender individuals from participating in certain sports events.
For a local perspective, in the Philippines, this issue becomes more complex because of the influence and prevalence of the Catholic Church. The teachings of the Catholic Church on gender and sexuality easily sway public opinion and policy decisions regarding transgender participation in sports. This highlights the need to weigh religious, cultural, and ethical factors when addressing the matter. In essence, the discussion emphasizes the significance of achieving a harmonious balance between ensuring equitable competition, promoting inclusivity, and safeguarding the rights of every athlete, regardless of their gender identity.
As of now, though, exclusion is more prevalent than inclusion. Exclusion comes in many different forms for trans athletes. It can manifest socioculturally, such as when other people use transphobic language (including the use of the wrong pronouns), when trans athletes are made to feel unsafe in sports spaces (like being scrutinized in locker rooms), when trans athletes are physically assaulted, or are just generally socially shunned by their teammates, coaches, and trainers (Braumüller et al., 2023; Gleaves and Lehrbach, 2016).
Institutional exclusion is also prevalent. It’s not just when trans athletes are completely disallowed to compete, like how Filipino SGB Weightlifting sa Pinas had proposed banning trans competitors (Dioquino, 2023). Exclusion also happens when the rules SGBs put up for trans athletes to participate in their sports prevent them from doing so (Gurlly, 2023). For example, Gurlly (2023) mentions that underage, trans artistic gymnasts are at a disadvantage because their SGB requires hormone treatments to compete. However, trans youth with unsupportive families cannot access treatments independently. This is still a form of exclusion, although in a sneakier way.
So how are trans athletes affected? Well, similar to how sports are separated into men’s and women’s categories—and with all athletes expected to be either a biological man or woman—trans athletes’ acceptance into sports is based on the assumption that they are cisgender. As soon as people find out that they’re trans, the way they are treated changes completely (Greey, 2023). To combat sociocultural exclusion, a lot of them have to bend over backward to fit into the strict gender roles in sports. For example, they have to act extremely in line with the masculine or feminine standard of what their gender entails, or are even forced to alter their own beliefs about themselves—which Pérez-Saminiego et al. (2019) call abjection—to fit the cisgender norm.
These “fake it ‘til you make it” strategies are tiring and dehumanizing for trans athletes. And due to having more pressure and less social support than cisgender athletes, trans athletes are more prone to mental health problems (Braumüller et al., 2023), highlighting further the psychological impact of exclusion, and the need for inclusion.
There are differences in the acceptance of trans women and trans men in sports. Trans women are more likely to be excluded because of their supposed genetic advantage compared to cisgender athletes. Moreover, trans athletes who undergo hormone treatment are more accepted (Tanimoto and Miwa, 2021). But, according to Tanimoto and Miwa (2021), trans men are more accepted than trans women. For example is the acceptance of Chris Mosier; he is a triathlete known for being the first trans man to represent the United States in international competition and the first transgender athlete to compete in the Olympic Trials in any sport in a category different than their sex assigned at birth (Mosier, 2014).
Intersex people also experience exclusion in sports because their primary and/or secondary sex characteristics or the combination of their biological traits differ from the two expected patterns of “female” and “male” (Montilla Doble, 2022). An example of this would be runner Caster Semenya. Her being intersex was leaked following her gold medal at the 2009 Berlin World Championships. Because of this and her subsequently required hormone regulation, Semenya suffered from low moods from 2009 to 2015 (Mokoena, 2023).
It then becomes important to nuance and tie together trans and intersex individuals’ struggles, because it shows that exclusion affects a broader community.
Some people, like student-athletes in the Philippines, have proposed creating a separate sports category for trans individuals (Aguilar, 2023). But wait, let’s think about this for a second. This mindset only places the burden on trans athletes, and portrays them as “different.” As a trans athlete once told researchers Fanech and Gatt (2023, p. 173), “...you’re like telling them you’re not male and you’re not female, you’re transgender...” It singles out trans athletes and is a step back in terms of equality (Strohschein, 2023), so it is not true inclusion.
Why are sports divided into men’s and women’s categories? It’s supposed to create a “level” playing field, or so they say. In other words, it’s to ensure that the games we play are “fair” (Gleaves and Lehrbach, 2016), because of the assumption that men are physically superior to women (Griffin, 2012). Because of this, “transgender athletes are perceived as challenging gender boundaries” (Braumüller et al., 2023, p.3). For many institutions like the International Olympic Committee (IOC), this line of thinking is why they released a 2015 framework that requires trans women athletes to follow a limited testosterone level throughout all sports if they wish to compete (the latest IOC framework no longer has this requirement; see the following paragraph). Procedures such as these are often financially, physically, and mentally exhausting for trans athletes (Gleaves and Leahrbach, 2016). But the tides have been changing.
To some researchers, this exclusion under the misconception of a “biological advantage” doesn’t make sense. Griffin (2012) points out that within the binary categories of sport, gaining advantages is encouraged and allowed. For example, athletes all have different muscle masses, heights, mental resiliences, and accesses to resources. These all contribute to an athlete’s better performance. Because of this, some researchers also argue that categories should be based on physiological and social factors instead (Anderson et al., 2019). There is even scientific evidence to suggest that trans athletes have no biological advantage, and if there were, these advantages would fall within an acceptable range (Gleaves and Lehrbach, 2016). The IOC itself repealed its 2015 framework and replaced it in 2021 with one that encourages each sport to develop its own guidelines in including trans women. It also reminds SGBs to be more respectful of athletes’ privacy regarding their sex.
But is this finally “fair?” Other researchers would still say no! This premise of “fairness” based on physiology creates a limited and limiting perspective, especially for trans athletes (Braumüller et al., 2023; Gleaves and Lehrbach, 2016). The argument that all athletes’ bodies don’t have any unfair advantages—which Gleaves and Lehrbach (2016) call “physiological equivalency”—and thus do not rock the boat in terms of sports equality—suggests that trans athletes should only be included in sports because of their bodies’ similarities to cisgender athletes. Inclusion is conditional: if trans athletes match “biological norms,” then they’re good. But if they don’t—then their right to compete is voided. It also reinforces the male-female gender binary because it places an unnecessary burden on trans athletes to prove that they are “normal” enough, something their cisgender counterparts don’t have to go through (Braumüller et al., 2023; Gleaves and Lehrbach, 2016; Pérez-Saminiego et al., 2019).
Simply allowing trans athletes to participate in sports isn’t inclusion. To create social justice-oriented inclusion, we have to acknowledge and dismantle the systems that continue to oppress trans athletes. In other words, we also need to focus on the experiences of trans athletes as human beings outside of their athlete role (Pérez-Samaniego et al., 2019).
Trans athletes deserve to be included in sports not because of their bodies’ conditional similarities, but because as people, they deserve to let their stories be heard and play the games they want. This should be without a need to “prove” themselves through medical procedures which further single them out. Instead, the only requirement should be their own self-identity (Gleaves and Lehrbach, 2016).
With this in mind, inclusion can be addressed on micro and macro levels. Coaches can do a lot for their trans athletes by creating a safe environment for them, so researchers recommend diversity training for sports administrators (Braumüller et al., 2023; Fenech and Gatt, 2023). Furthermore, institutional policies such as hormone requirements or surgery should be repealed, because they continue to push the idea that there is a binary view of gender and that trans people have to “correct” themselves to participate (Gleaves and Lehrbach, 2016).
"If you are a woman, then play. If you consider yourself to be a woman, and you want to play the sports that you like or vice-versa, you should be able to play." — Coach Dawn Staley (Chinchilla, 2024)
When including trans athletes in sports, the benefits they reap aren’t just psychological, but also social (Gleaves and Lehrbach, 2016):
Facilitation of identity formation
Heightened ability for coping with challenges
Improvement in self-esteem
Empowerment for the athlete and their community
Representation for other trans and intersex athletes and individuals
Reduction of stigma in broader society
It can also be an arena for social justice, social change, and individual growth.
Sports should move away from policing bodies and instead see itself as an avenue for self-expression and empowerment. Only then can true fairness be achieved.
Let’s make sports more inclusive, more fair, and more affirming of people’s humanity.
Recommended citation: Okamoto, M., Pascual, P. A., & Zabala, V. L. (2024). Inclusivity in motion [Zine]. https://sites.google.com/up.edu.ph/inclusivity-in-motion