Trans women banned from swimming

#SwimEngland has updated its policy on #trans and #nonbinaryathletes, effectively forcing trans swimmers out of the “female” category and into an “open” one in competitive events.

The new policy, which the swimming body claims recognises the “fairness of competition”, would see only cis women taking part on female teams, while a new “open” category would exist for non-binary or #transwomen swimmers.

“It is widely recognised that fairness of competition must be protected and Swim England believes the creation of open and female categories is the best way to achieve this,” the swimming body wrote in a statement on its website.
“The updated policy ensures there are entry-level competitive opportunities for transgender people to participate in the majority of our disciplines within their gender identity.”
The new policy, announced on Monday (3 April), contains provision for athletes to #selfID at low-level “unlicensed” events, such as recreational races. However, timings and scores posted at these events will not be applicable to Swim England rankings or eligible as records.

“Swim England believes that the restriction of certain competition to birth sex females to be justified and proportionate in the pursuit of fair competition,” it said, adding that the new policy has “inclusion and fairness at its very heart”.
Swim England also confirmed that the policy only refers to its own competitions, and will implemented on 1 September this year.

Trans youth charity #Mermaids has described the Swim England policy update as “disappointing”.
“While trans kids can play authentically in non-competitive environments, the policy fundamentally denies trans girls the right to compete as themselves,” it said.
“We call on Swim England to reverse its decision to ban trans girls from competing with their peers, and make sport a welcome, inclusive space for trans youth.”
PinkNews has also contacted #Stonewall and #GenderedIntelligence for comment.

Swim England’s new policy comes as #WorldAthletics has banned trans women who have been through puberty from taking part in female competitions. #transrightsarehumanrights #translivesmatter🏳️‍⚧️ #transathletes #queertok #uksport

[Michelle_Schu-blacka]

Great!

So now there will be a new category for trans people that will have one or two elite athletes and the rest will be there to make up the numbers since I can't imagine there's dozens of trans swimmers and even less trans swimmers that are good.

[Dontcareanymore]

Not cis women, just women in women’s sports and about time too

[ungabunga]

Their, u winey moaning “victims” happy now. Your being included in a separate category which makes it fair. If this upsets you then I question your true agenda

[ionaailish]

We have this for triathlon Scotland and it works great!