Caitlyn Jenner says men should not play women’s sport

Transgender activist Caitlyn Jenner has said that biological boys should not be allowed to take part in girls’ sport.

Jenner, who is running for California governor, made the remarks at a time when several US states have banned – or are considering banning – transgender athletes from competing in female sports in schools and colleges.

The high profile figure had a successful career as a male athlete before ‘transitioning’ to live as a woman.

Unfair

When asked for an opinion on moves in various states to prevent boys playing in girls’ sporting competitions, Jenner replied: “This is a question of fairness.

“That’s why I oppose biological boys who are trans competing in girls’ sports in school. It just isn’t fair. And we have to protect girls’ sports in our schools.”

The former Olympian subsequently posted the comments on Twitter, adding: “I’m clear about where I stand”.

I didn’t expect to get asked this on my Saturday morning coffee run, but I’m clear about where I stand. It’s an issue of fairness and we need to protect girls’ sports in our schools.https://t.co/YODLDQ3csP

— Caitlyn Jenner (@Caitlyn_Jenner) May 1, 2021

Necessary legislation

Last month, the governor of West Virginia signed the transgender athlete Bill into law.

House Bill 3293 prohibits “biological males from participating on athletic teams or sports designated for biological females”. In the Bill, biological sex is defined “solely on the individual’s reproductive biology and genetics at birth”.

The new law states: “Classification of teams according to biological sex is necessary to promote equal athletic opportunities for the female sex.”

Lawmakers in Florida have also approved a ban on male students taking part in “athletic teams or sports designated for females”. US LGBT group the Human Rights Campaign reports that 22 states in total are considering such legislation.

BBC reporting

In a recent Oprah Winfrey interview with Elliot Page, reported by the BBC, the actor who now presents as male claimed that moves to ban boys from playing girls’ sports in US schools means “children will die”.

Earlier this year, the BBC was severely criticised over an article which suggested that a High Court ruling on puberty-blocking drugs could cause gender-confused young people to commit suicide.

Samaritans media guidelines state: “Steer clear of presenting suicidal behaviour as an understandable response to a crisis or adversity. This can contribute to unhelpful and risky normalising of suicide as an appropriate response to distress.”