[AGTRT-BF3] Trans inclusive sport does not mean trans women must be allowed everywhere

Jan Bergstra and Laurens Buijs
Amsterdam Gender Theory Research Team

In a recent opinion piece in the Volkskrant, Claire Slingerland argues that transgender persons should simply be allowed in “sport,” arguing, importantly, that they – especially transgender women – would have no advantages over cis women. This argument is not strong.

In 2022, World Aquatics (swimming etc.) has a ‘Policy on eligibility for the men’s and women’s competition categories’ released, see also AGTRT-10. This policy paper is based on a detailed analysis of the advantages transgender women should expect to have over cis-gender women in the various pool sports. These benefits depend on the individual (medical) history of transgender persons involved.

According to World Aquatics, allowing transgender women into elite aquatic sports without further restriction is contrary to the goal of giving cis-gender women a fair chance to win awards. However, anyone is allowed to enter the men’s competitions – expressly including transgender women, except for some slight safety criteria.

Read our comprehensive analysis of World Aquatics’ transgender policy here:
Formal Gender Theory for Sports: Comments on the 2022 World Aquatics Eligibility Policy.

A trans-inclusive policy for sports does not mean that all trans women should necessarily have the opportunity to participate in all sporting events. In pool sports, for example, the organization of so-called “open events” is encouraged, where there is no difference between men and women.

All trans women will also be allowed to register for men’s competitions, while the registration of trans women in women’s competitions will be subject to medical conditions. In formulating those terms, the concepts of gender and transgender play no role whatsoever.

World Aquatics has found a way to formulate a clear transgender policy independent of the famous “what is a woman” question. We assume that one can find such a policy in chess as well. It is understandable that one needs some time for this: one cannot simply adopt such a policy from another sports federation.