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Transition

CEBU, Philippines —  This is one precarious, sensitive topic to write about. Pardon inappropriate labels thus, or misgendering, if any. World Athletics recently banned transgender women from competing against cisgender women or those whose gender identity corresponds with female sex identified at birth. Exactly where the problem starts, sex assignment at birth where the baby is not privy. Just like infants named by parents too unique they grow up burdened how to write or say their own name.

Last year World Aquatics also ruled transgender women may only swim against ciswomen if they did not experience any part of male puberty beyond Tanner Stage 2 or before age 12, whichever is later, or whatever that means. Accordingly, anyone who went through male puberty retains male anatomical differences that give athletic advantage.

Trans rights groups however argue there is yet no conclusive evidence of undue advantage for transgender athletes. Sports Medicine journal reviewed related studies but found no direct consistent research trans people edge out the cisgender.

Ironically though, banned from competing against cisgender women are cisgender women with higher than average testosterone levels. Namibian Christine Mboma is found to have testosterone level higher than allowable threshold. The Tokyo 200m silver medalist undergoes hormone therapy to suppress her testosterone levels for six months before competing, reminiscent of Filipino sprinter Nancy Navalta who underwent but failed gender test in the 90s.

South African 800m runner Caster Semenya who, pardon the stereotype, looks and sounds like a man, suppressed her hormones for five years for a ticket to compete in the distaff side. The Olympic and world champion agonized its side effects – sickness, weight gain and panic attacks. Exactly what happens when science works against, and not with nature, all in the name of fairness in women’s sports.

Despite, or more so, because of diversity, there should be a place for everyone in sports by way of category. No one complained against the male or female binary before. It was based on substantial distinction, or so the world thought. Until different genders were identified, empowered, recognized and respected, giving birth to the Gay Games for the LGBTQI ad infinitum community.

World Athletics admits it may still reverse its position especially due to limited existing experimental data on perceived advantages of transgender women against born women. It created a group to evaluate transgender inclusion with representation from and consultation with transgender athletes.

This tricky issue should be left to the experts to find enough scientific evidence for sports inclusion or exclusion to maintain sports integrity. In the meantime though, why not open up another category for trans women and trans men. By then no one will be left behind. But this could end up the discrimination sought cremated. Or, other genders that number about a hundred excluding the undiscovered may demand separate category. The debate rages on, reiterating reality there is so much to learn about human sexuality. With 8 billion people on earth, do not expect uniformity, much less unity, but billions of possibilities. Otherwise known as diversity. Or the mystery of humanity.