Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks out against equal rights for trans women in sports
Unfortunately, many people still find it difficult to understand that trans people are or should be considered "real men" or "real women" after gender reassignment surgery. Why should a person who was born a biological man, for example, but then realized that he is a woman, not have the same rights as a cis woman?
It is precisely for this more than tolerance and equality that many people speak out, especially the LGBTQI+ community. They believe that anyone who feels like a woman and wants to be regarded in the same way should also have the right to live as a woman.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson sees things somewhat differently. In certain areas - in his opinion - cis and trans women should not have equal rights. He believes that trans women have a physical advantage in various areas. Therefore, he says, it is important to differentiate. But which areas exactly is Boris Johnson talking about?
Sports tournaments for women? According to Boris Johnson only for cis women
Boris Johnson commented on the issue that there are repeated calls for trans women to be allowed to participate in classic women's tournaments. The discussion arose when 21-year-old Emily Bridges was banned from participating in a track cycling race. The reason for the cancellation was that Emily Bridges is a trans woman who had begun her transition with hormone therapy. Her sports club has long included her as a woman. However, the International Track Cycling Federation objected.
The exclusion had triggered a heated discussion within Great Britain. Here, many were eagerly waiting to see what the British government's stance on the issue would be. Only a few days later, Prime Minister Boris Johnson issued a statement that only fueled the discussion further.
In his opinion, "biological males" should not compete in women's sports tournaments. It just "doesn't sound reasonable" to him.
However, this is not the only questionable statement he has made about equal rights for trans and cis women.
Women should have rooms for themselves
When Boris Johnson refers to "women" in his statements, he means exclusively people who were born female. Therefore, he also wants there to continue to be a clear demarcation between the biological sexes in hospitals and sports locker rooms, for example. But this also means that trans women should not have access to the women's locker room.
Nevertheless, the prime minister continued to state that trans people should continue to receive "maximum love and support." How much Johnson struggles with himself here can be seen again and again in his subordinate clauses. Even though he gives the impression that he is very straightforward (and conservative) with his opinion, he repeatedly emphasizes that it is difficult to make decisions here.
The inclusion of trans people: Always a hotly debated topic
The inclusion of transsexual people in society is enormously important. Therefore, it is more and more surprising - especially for many members of the community - that there has been a kind of "standstill" in some areas, maybe even a step backwards.
In the sports sector, this issue is raised again and again. Not only in Great Britain, but also in the USA. Some call for total inclusion, others try to argue scientifically - for example, on the basis of hormones and their effects on the body. They stick to the old "rule" that it is known that a woman's physique and a man's physique are different due to evolution... and that is what needs to be taken into account in sports activities.
Only time will tell how the issue will continue to be handled in the sport. Perhaps an agreement will soon be reached that satisfies all concerned.
In addition, British queers are also often exposed to violence