British Rowing recently declared a policy prohibiting transgender athletes from participating in the Women’s Category. This announcement coincides with the launch of three new categories from September 11th: Open, Mixed, and Women’s. The policy outlines that only females assigned at birth have the eligibility to compete in competitions under British Rowing’s jurisdiction or be selected to represent Great Britain or England in international events.
In its commitment to promoting an environment where rowing is accessible and inclusive, British Rowing believes that ensuring fair play for everyone involves creating conditions for competition that guarantee fair and meaningful competition by placing necessary and proportionate restrictions on eligibility.
This policy change happens at a time when other sporting institutions limit the inclusion of transgender competitors. These organizations include the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), Swim England,
World Athletics
Scottish Rugby,
FINA, England’s Rugby Football Union, and International Rugby League. Each of these organizations now prohibits transgender women, or those who transitioned after puberty, from competing in female categories.
Meanwhile, 22 states in the United States, including Alabama, Florida, Idaho, Mississippi, and Texas, have already enacted laws forbidding trans women and girls from participating in women’s sports leagues in schools and colleges, according to the US nonprofit, the Movement Advancement Project. While studies from Canada and New Zealand looking into whether transgender athletes have an advantage in sports have been ambiguous.