More than 100 British elite sportswomen have told the BBC they are uncomfortable with transgender women competing in the female category of their sport.
But many people express anxiety about sharing their views publicly for fear of being seen as discriminatory.
One person told the BBC that if he spoke about it his “career is over”, while another said: “You can be abused whether you support it or not. If you support it, fuck it, I don't support it.” Then it’s crap,” he said.
Some said there should be a place for transgender people in sports, while others called for more research and open categories in sports.
In recent years, many sports have banned transgender women from elite women's sports, citing concerns.
The latest findings come from a BBC survey of elite British sportswomen, which also covered topics such as the cost of living, social media trolls, childbearing in sport and poor eating habits.
Among the concerns from athletes: including transgender women in the women's category is “like going back in time and putting women at the bottom again”, creating an “unfair playing field” and It was said that it could be harmful.
The study surveyed 615 athletes, including eligible transgender athletes in 28 sports.
There were 143 responses in total for this study. This is despite a 10:1 outnumber of respondents who are uncomfortable with trans people joining the category of elite women than those who feel comfortable with them, but This means that it cannot be taken as representative of how sportswomen feel as a whole.
However, this is the largest public study in the UK to date revealing the views of elite athletes on the issue.
In a statement to BBC Sport, Sports Secretary Stuart Andrew said: “We strongly believe that fairness must be a top consideration when it comes to the participation of transgender athletes in competitive sport.
“We will continue to work closely with sports governing bodies to ensure a clear direction that shows compassion for all athletes while protecting the integrity of women’s sport.”
This is the fourth time BBC Sport has conducted the survey of elite British sportswomen, with results previously published in 2013, 2015 and 2020.
In the debate surrounding the inclusion of transgender athletes, many argue that transgender women should not participate in elite women's sports because of the potential to maintain a physical advantage, but sports should be more inclusive. Some argue that it should be.
The debate centers on the balance between inclusion, sporting fairness and safety in women's sports, and whether transgender women can compete in the women's category without having an unfair advantage.
What did the study find?
The survey was sent to British sportswomen aged 16 and over who compete at the highest level of their sport, either representing their country in senior sport or at top club level.
A total of 104 athletes said they felt “uncomfortable” or “very uncomfortable” about a transgender woman competing in the women's division of their sport. She was one of only 11 people who said they were comfortable or very comfortable.
When asked how they felt talking about this topic in public, 96 people said they felt uncomfortable or very uncomfortable.
Athletes completed the survey anonymously, but were able to leave their contact details if they wanted to speak further with a BBC Sport journalist. The athletes who responded included Olympic and Paralympic athletes.
“Place women at the bottom”
Many of the athletes who responded to the survey and spoke to BBC Sport cited concerns about the protection of women's sport, but some athletes mentioned the potential physical advantage transgender women could have by going through male puberty. There were too.
Because there are so few transgender athletes and even fewer in elite sports, research on how gender reassignment affects athletes is limited. However, research is currently ongoing.
“Bringing women into women's sports is literally like going back in time and putting women at the bottom again and having to rebuild them again,” the athlete said.
- “Regardless of what sport you participate in, it becomes such an uneven playing field.”
- “We're in a position where we're just trying to seize that momentum and put women's sports on an equal playing field with men, and I feel like almost now some decisions are being made… and we're being marginalized again. It is being done.”
- “I think once transgender athletes are allowed to participate in women's sports, it's over. It's like going back in time.”
A para-athlete said transgender women need to “accept” not competing against female athletes, adding: “I would never compete in the Olympics because of my disability and I accepted that.”
In 2021, an 18-month review produced by Sport England, Sport Scotland, Sport Northern Ireland, Sport Wales and UK Sport concluded: 'Testosterone suppression has a negative impact on trans women and gender-sensitive sports. It is unlikely to guarantee equity among natal women.”
“There are still differences in strength, stamina, and body size between the average woman and the average transgender woman or non-binary registered man who was registered at birth.”
But last year Loughborough University researcher Joanna Harper, who herself is a transgender woman, told BBC Radio 5 Live that it was “not clear” how much of an athletic advantage transgender women had. he said.
Transgender people should have a 'sports venue'
“I'm a big believer in inclusion and equality, so I want transgender people to be treated with respect and kindness,” the athlete told BBC Sport.
“While we recognize that the inclusion of transgender women in high performance sports is a complex and certainly controversial topic, we also feel that transgender women are being unfairly targeted. I am.”
In 2022, British Triathlon became the first British sporting body to create an open category for transgender athletes.
Several athletes interviewed by BBC Sport did not want transgender athletes to be restricted from competing completely and called for an open category to be established in their sport.
“I believe that sports should be for everyone, so transgender people should have a place in sports, but this should not undermine fair competition.” said one athlete, while another added: participate. “
“I truly believe that transgender athletes should be represented in sports, but within their own divisions,” said another athlete.
What is the current situation?
The Football Association and the England and Wales Cricket Board currently require transgender women to apply to play in the women's division, with applications being reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
According to 2021 Census data, 0.1% of the population of England and Wales identify as transgender women, and an equal number identify as transgender men.
