Ethics & Current Events: Transgender Women and Athletics
Current events: In Spring 2020, the Idaho legislature passed a bill that effectively precludes transgender girls and women from joining female athletic teams. The “Fairness in women’s sports act” suggests that cisgender girls and women on school athletic teams should not have to compete against transgender girls and women.
Case study: LH is a transgender woman hoping to join the women’s cross country and track teams. She has had hormone treatments that have reduced her testosterone levels. Should LH be allowed to participate on the women’s team?
Discussion:
What do you need to know:
How do you resolve a dispute about the sex of a student athlete? Is it by reproductive anatomy, genetic makeup, or circulating testosterone levels?
What is the research on testosterone levels and athletic success?
What about the rights of the transgender athlete?
Read the NEJM Perspective here.
