The non-binary writer said the “extensive” restrictions on men in women’s athletics may be unfair because the scientific literature has yet to prove that men consistently have an athletic advantage over women. Said it was expensive.
I was commenting on the recent decision by the National Collegiate Athletics Association to ban transgender athletes from playing sports against members of the opposite sex.
The 20-0 vote limited participation in women’s sports to those born female. The NAIA also ruled that athletes undergoing hormone therapy as part of their gender transition cannot compete in these competitions.
Katie Burns, who identifies as nonbinary and uses the pronouns “they/them/them,” appeared on CNN’s “The Lead” with Jake Tapper to discuss recent rule changes.
“I think this reflects the times we’re in,” Burns said of the policy. “Over the last three or four years, we have seen most policy updates reflect restrictions and more restrictive policies when it comes to transgender athletes.”
Host Tapper then said there is a “narrative” in sports that “transgender female athletes have an advantage over actual women.” Tapper added that it’s not “particularly competitive for men,” which is why “men and women generally compete in separate gender categories.”
“Does the research support that?” Tapper asked.
Burns’ defense appears to be that while men may have certain advantages when competing with women, it is unfair to create blanket rules to exclude men from competing with women.
“The reality is, from a scientific perspective, we know that there are differences between the sexes, and we also know that those differences tend to lead to differences in athletic performance,” Burns responded. “But when you look at the widespread restrictions at all levels of sport, it’s very difficult to say that it’s scientifically supported in all cases.”
“What may be suitable for swimming is not necessarily true for basketball, when it comes to individual and team sports, and even the level of competition,” the authors added.
Burns also argued that it remains unclear whether “transgender women always have an advantage in all sports,” regardless of medical treatment. “I don’t think the scientific literature supports that at this point.”
After footage of Burns’ interview spread online, ESPN reporters reverted to the position that no clear opinion was expressed during the CNN segment.
“Me: I don’t think it’s appropriate for me to say whether the policy is fair or not. Them: Look at this they/them reporter criticizing the policy,” Burns wrote. X.
At the same time, Burns published a book called Fair Play: How Sports Shapes Gender Debate.multiple review He revealed that the book discusses “the difference between using testosterone for medical transition and using it for competitive advantage” in sports.
According to a review by NBC News, the book also states that there is no scientific or empirical evidence to support a categorical ban in sports against people who believe they are of the opposite sex. At the same time, Burns said in his book that there should be certain limits on individual competition in sports at the collegiate level (and above).
But Burns also said there needs to be a path for all transgender athletes to compete in the category of their choice.
The above sentiment is a long way from the claim that Burns was not “right” to say whether a policy was fair or not.
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