World Rugby is considering banning trans women from playing women’s rugby because of significant safety concerns that have emerged following recent research:
The Guardian can reveal that in a 38-page draft document produced by its transgender working group, it is acknowledged that there is likely to be “at least a 20-30% greater risk” of injury when a female player is tackled by someone who has gone through male puberty. The document also says the latest science shows that trans women retain “significant” physical advantages over biological women even after they take medication to lower their testosterone.
As a result, World Rugby’s working group suggests that its current rules, which allow trans women to play women’s rugby if they lower their testosterone levels for at least 12 months in line with the International Olympic Committee’s guidelines, are “not fit for the purpose”.
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It also recommends that trans men should be allowed to play against biological men, provided they have undergone a physical assessment and have signed a consent form.
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As World Rugby’s working group notes, players who are assigned male at birth and whose puberty and development is influenced by androgens/testosterone “are stronger by 25%-50%, are 30% more powerful, 40% heavier, and about 15% faster than players who are assigned female at birth (who do not experience an androgen-influenced development).”
In other related news, scientists have discovered that water is wet, birds fly, and fish swim in the ocean.
Expect all members of the working group to be hounded mercilessly the rest of their lives, and world rugby to allow trans persons to compete as women. To compete WOMEN born WOMEN will have to sign a consent form.
There is nothing to stop transwomen playing rugby against other transwomen. Men play men at rugby, women play women at rugby so logically transwomen can play transwomen at rugby.
Problem solved, though of course there may not be enough transwomen around to make two teams. Volunteers may be required to fill any gaps in the teams.