Ban on transgender college athletes poised to become law in Texas

[MrDawn]

Your thoughts?

DALLAS — The Texas House approved on first reading a bill that will force transgender college athletes at public universities to compete in sports based on their biological sex.
Senate Bill 15 has been labeled the “Save Women’s Sports Act,” because backers say it protects women athletes from competing against transgender women.

The bill expands on a ban passed during the 2021 legislative session that prevents transgender youth from participating in sports in public elementary, middle and high schools.
Supporters of the measure say it’s urgently needed.
“We must act now, or men will win men’s sports and men will win women’s sports,” said state Rep. Valoree Swanson, R-Spring.
Swanson presented the bill on the House floor surrounded by fellow Republican women wearing pink to signal their support.
But several Democrats said there’s no need for the state to pass this into law because there are no transgender athletes at public universities.
“I can’t even remember all the places I’ve been representing this great country and the University of Houston and never, ever competed against a transgender woman,” said state Rep. Jolanda “Jo” Jones, D-Houston.

News Article: Ban on transgender college athletes poised to become law in Texas

 

[PGen98]

It's such a grey area all around, just create open categories in every sport. Everyone wins.

 

[Ravenfreak]

I think sports should be separated by skill set and class, not a person's sex. Laws like this are doing more harm than good like usual. For example, lots of men biologically are stronger than women so laws like this that force trans men to compete against women, due to their assigned gender at birth, will physically be stronger because the testosterone makes it easier for them to gain muscle mass just like a cis guy. If we have skill classes where it doesn't matter what gender the person is, as long as they are able to keep up with the other competitors in their class it should be fine.

 

[PGen98]

I think sports should be separated by skill set and class, not a person's sex. Laws like this are doing more harm than good like usual. For example, lots of men biologically are stronger than women so laws like this that force trans men to compete against women, due to their assigned gender at birth, will physically be stronger because the testosterone makes it easier for them to gain muscle mass just like a cis guy. If we have skill classes where it doesn't matter what gender the person is, as long as they are able to keep up with the other competitors in their class it should be fine.

Agreed! Trans men gain the advantage that everyone is so scared about with trans women, so they shouldn't be playing with cis women. Trans women end up losing muscle mass and certainly have a harder time gaining any once they start to transition, so they could never realistically compete with cis men. It's an immediate disadvantage, so yeah, skill classes would be a great way to solve that.

 

[~ True Legend ~]

Agreed! Trans men gain the advantage that everyone is so scared about with trans women, so they shouldn't be playing with cis women. Trans women end up losing muscle mass and certainly have a harder time gaining any once they start to transition, so they could never realistically compete with cis men. It's an immediate disadvantage, so yeah, skill classes would be a great way to solve that.

Sorry, i was under the impression that trans women still have an unfair advantage provided they've transitioned after puberty? I'm keen to be corrected if I'm wrong

 

[PGen98]

Sorry, i was under the impression that trans women still have an unfair advantage provided they've transitioned after puberty? I'm keen to be corrected if I'm wrong

It can't be denied that trans women have larger bone density and an overall larger frame than cis women, yes, can't argue biology on that one. Trans women lose a lot of muscle mass, though still typically end up with greater muscle mass than cis women. So ultimately the idea that sports should be classified by ability or skill solves a lot of the nonsense in this particular debate.

 

[~ True Legend ~]

It can't be denied that trans women have larger bone density and an overall larger frame than cis women, yes, can't argue biology on that one. Trans women lose a lot of muscle mass, though still typically end up with greater muscle mass than cis women. So ultimately the idea that sports should be classified by ability or skill solves a lot of the nonsense in this particular debate.

I’m not sure how I feel about that because sport is meant to be competitive. For example ppl who train harder and diet well will build more muscle mass over time.

Though to an extent I feel it would be great to have sports tailored to skill and ability as you say, as in general I feel it will encourage the less “able” in sport to engage.

 

[PGen98]

I’m not sure how I feel about that because sport is meant to be competitive. For example ppl who train harder and diet well will build more muscle mass over time.

Though to an extent I feel it would be great to have sports tailored to skill and ability as you say, as in general I feel it will encourage the less “able” in sport to engage.

If trans men are forced to compete as women, with a new found advantage, and trans women are forced to compete as men, with that so-called natural advantage essentially removed, all sides are getting screwed over. If cis women hate losing to trans women, they're going to hate losing to trans men, too. What's the solution? Ban anyone that's trans from any form of competition? That's what a lot would like, of course, but it is far from a workable solution.

 

[~ True Legend ~]

If trans men are forced to compete as women, with a new found advantage, and trans women are forced to compete as men, with that so-called natural advantage essentially removed, all sides are getting screwed over. If cis women hate losing to trans women, they're going to hate losing to trans men, too. What's the solution? Ban anyone that's trans from any form of competition? That's what a lot would like, of course, but it is far from a workable solution.

I recall talks about testosterone requirements in all women events. So trans men can’t compete in women’s events either.

Thinking about it, perhaps there should simply be some hormonal tests carried out? People with high testosterone levels compete in the men’s category and those with lower levels compete in the women’s category.

But everything should be based on scientific evidence as opposed to gender assignment. Although this is not foolproof. Because testosterone helps to build muscle. So even if someone previously had higher testosterone levels via hormonal treatment, they’d build muscle more readily at the time. And once the hormonal treatment stops, the testosterone levels go down BUT the muscle gained does not disappear.

There’s no perfect solution. All so complex!