A public policy group focused on women’s issues is urging the governing body of Irish dance to change its regulations after a male dancer qualified for the world championships for a third consecutive year, despite previously competing as a male.
“I was at the 2023 tournament where this individual won the women’s category for the first time,” said Maggie McNeely, who directs government communications for Concerned Women for America. “He’s been involved in Irish dance for quite a while and had previously competed as a boy, but suddenly started identifying as a girl and entered the girls’ category.”
McNeely noted that this male dancer not only competed in the girls’ division in 2023 but went on to win a regional title multiple times, including a victory last December in Florida.
Concerned Women for America (CWA) has reached out to the two leading organizations in Irish dance, An Coimisiun le Linci Gaelacha and the Irish Dance Teachers’ Association of North America, requesting a revision of participation rules that currently permit dancers to compete based on their gender identity.
The organization’s letter highlighted how other prominent sports bodies, such as the International Olympic Committee and World Athletics, have established or are planning eligibility criteria that are strictly defined by biological sex.
In an interview, McNeely expressed concern about the “ripple effect” resulting from male dancers competing in the women’s division.
“When the boy won the women’s title, it meant that the second-place girl, who would have otherwise been first, didn’t qualify for the world championships. This also affected other girls, like the one who finished 11th, who missed out because only the top ten advance,” she explained. “It’s frustrating when girls have dreams of competing but can’t reach their goals because of this situation.”
CWA’s CEO and Chair, Penny Nance, pointed out the negative implications this has on young women, suggesting that allowing males to compete can dampen their enthusiasm to participate.
“We really encourage Young Women for America members to engage in sports since it serves as excellent training. Many women in top executive roles have backgrounds in athletics, which is beneficial for their development,” Nance remarked.
McNeely and Nance emphasized that Irish dance isn’t just artistic; it’s “a very athletic art form.” McNeely mentioned how the dance demands quick movements, jumps, and stamina, where physical differences can impact performance.
“In high-level competitions, men and women compete separately, but at the regional level, they sometimes face each other. Typically, boys prevail because of their greater stamina and ability to execute more complex dance techniques,” McNeely noted.
FOX News Digital contacted the governing bodies for their views on CWA’s criticism and policy suggestions, but received no reply.
Reflecting on the initial controversy in 2023, McNeely noted that a petition from parents and dancers against the inclusion of males in women’s categories was submitted to the governing body. The suggested solution was to create a third category for individuals who do not identify strictly as male or female, but that proposal was later shelved. She indicated that the governing body is hesitant to take action due to past legal disputes and concerns about further lawsuits regarding gender separation.
