A women’s public policy organization is urging the governing body of Irish dance to revise its participation rules following a male dancer qualifying for the world championships for the third consecutive year. This individual had previously competed as a male.
Maggie McNeely, the director of government communications for Concerned Women for America (CWA), shared her observations from an event in 2023 where this dancer won first place in the women’s division. “He’s been involved in Irish dancing for a long time,” McNeely explained. “After competing as a boy for several years, he chose to identify as a girl in 2023 and began dancing in the girls’ category.”
The dancer went on to secure his first regional title in 2023 and has since added two more wins, including one in Florida set for December.
Concerned Women for America has reached out to the two main governing bodies of Irish dance, An Coimiciun le Linci Gaelacha and the Irish Dance Teachers’ Association of North America, seeking changes in policies that currently allow dancers to compete based on gender identity. They pointed to prominent sports organizations, such as the International Olympic Committee and World Athletics, which have developed eligibility criteria based strictly on gender.
In discussing the implications of allowing male dancers to compete against females, McNeely noted the “ripple effect” this has on competitions. She elaborated on how the situation affects both rankings and opportunities for female dancers. “Not only did the boys take the girls’ title, but because of that, girls who placed lower missed out on qualifying for major competitions,” she said, expressing concern over how this disrupts the opportunities for aspiring female dancers.
CWA president Penny Nance added that male participation in women’s divisions could undermine young women, making them less likely to compete. “We’re encouraging our members to engage in sports as it builds character,” Nance stated. She emphasized the correlation between athletic involvement and professional success for women.
When discussing Irish dance, McNeely and Nance pointed out that it’s not just about artistry; it’s a physically demanding discipline. McNeely highlighted the rigorous demands of Irish dance, which includes fast-paced movements, leaps, and jumps. She explained that different body structures among dancers can create advantages in competitions, like height and stamina, which heavily impact performance.
Reflecting on local competitions, McNeely remarked that boys usually have a significant edge over girls in such contests. “In regional settings, when boys compete against girls, they often come out on top due to their physical advantages,” she noted.
Attempts were made previously to address concerns by proposing a third category for non-binary dancers, but according to McNeely, this initiative was ultimately retracted. The governing body appears to be wary of legal issues stemming from these policies due to past controversies.
