TRANS ATHLETES MUST BE PROTECTED
The debate over transgender inclusion in sports is one of the most contentious issues in modern athletics, sparking discussions about fairness, identity, and competition. For varsity athletes in Canada, this debate is not just theoretical—it directly impacts their teams, policies, and personal experiences.
In October, Alberta introduced the Fairness and Safety in Sport Act, also known as Bill 29. The bill aims to create athlete eligibility policies for all post-secondary institutions, effectively separating trans women from female sport competitions.
This bill, however, is rooted in misinformation, fear-mongering, and a fundamental misunderstanding of both sports science and human rights.
Since the province is slated to host different U SPORTS championships in the next couple years — such as the 2028 women’s volleyball championship at Mount Royal University —, the organization is being consulted on the possible impacts. U SPORTS says they’re waiting for language of the bill before further evaluating its validity.
However, the mere introduction and consideration of the bill is dangerous and unnecessary.
What the proposition of this bill really says is “we prioritize the comfort of transphobes over the safety and joy of trans athletes, under the guise of ‘fairness’ and ‘concern’ for cisgendered women”.
Preventing trans athletes from competing in categories aligned with their gender identity is discriminatory, harmful, and ignores the core values that sports should embody.
Myth of ‘fairness’ and unfair advantage
Just like all the transphobic legislation proposed to police the rights of trans women in sport, Bill 29 cites concerns of ‘unfair advantage’ and ‘safety’.
Firstly, let’s talk definitions so we are all on the same page. Gender is an aspect of your identity, while sex is a characteristic assigned at birth. There are various types of genders and sexes. Trans women are people whose sex assigned at birth is different from their gender identity, which is woman. Cisgender women are people who were assigned female sex at birth, and whose gender identity is woman.
Secondly, let’s talk science. A common misconception is that trans women have an insurmountable physiological advantage over cisgender women due to so-called ‘masculine’ characteristics—being stronger, faster, or taller. But this argument oversimplifies biology and ignores the fact that athletic ability is not determined by a single set of traits.
Also, not all athletes benefit from the same physical characteristics; a soccer player doesn’t need the same build as a football player.
More importantly, this argument reinforces harmful generalizations about ‘masculine’ features, which not only target trans women but also harm cisgender women who don’t fit narrow expectations of femininity. Women—cis or trans—who are naturally tall, muscular, or broad-shouldered often face scrutiny and accusations of having an unfair advantage.
Think WNBA player Brittney Griner who is 6’9 and who plays in a league where the average height is 6’0.
Finally, this reasoning ignores the rigorous medical guidelines trans athletes must meet to compete, which further complicates the assumption that they hold an automatic advantage.
Organizations like the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and NCAA require trans women to undergo feminizing hormone therapy — such as estrogen — which significantly reduces testosterone levels, muscle mass, and other factors often cited as advantages.
The testosterone argument illustrates a sliver of the physiological picture. A study published in the National Library of Medicine describes “Estrogen therapy does not affect most of the anatomical structures in the biological male that provide a physiological benefit”.
A fuller view of physiology needs to be considered. For example, Dr. Joanna Harper of Loughborough University describes “The hemoglobin level in your blood is important for taking up and using oxygen in your muscle. It’s perhaps the single most important reason that men outperform women in endurance events, because of the higher hemoglobin level.”
Overall, scientific studies have not found consistent evidence proving that trans women maintain an edge over cisgender women after undergoing transition-related treatment.
Moreover, biological diversity already exists among cisgender athletes. Differences in height, muscle density, and endurance vary greatly even among cisgender competitors. Elite athletes often have physical traits that give them an edge—Michael Phelps has an unusually long wingspan and produces less lactic acid than most, yet no one argues that his natural attributes should disqualify him.
Therefore, targeting trans athletes based on perceived physiological advantages is a poorly hidden attempt to exclude them, rather than a legitimate concern for fairness.
Whose safety is really at risk
Trans athletes are a minority in most leagues or sports associations and face more threats to their safety than cisgender women. In a CNN article, Anna Baeth, director of research at Athlete Ally, estimates fewer than 40 of the NCAA’s more than 500,000 athletes are known to be transgender.
While violence in sport against cisgender women by trans women is rarely cited, there are many examples of violence against trans women in women’s leagues.
For example, basketball player Hariette MacKenzie, who plays for the Vancouver Island University Mariners, was playing against Columbia Bible College when in the third quarter, she was grabbed by an opposing player and thrown to the ground.
Overall, concerns for safety and fairness are merely a cover for the true reason for the introduction of the bill; fear. With that being said, neither science nor human rights can solve this issue. We need to rethink how we structure sports while also combatting transphobia with education and conversation.
Upholding true fairness in sport
Sports should unite, not divide and discriminate. Giving everyone an equal opportunity to play sports has social, psychological and physiological benefits that will ultimately benefit society.
Actually addressing fairness in sport means addressing economic barriers to sport. The Sport Information Resource Centre states “As [athletes] get better and move on from one level of development to the next, the cost of equipment, fees and travel can add up.”
Further, ensuring everyone can participate in sports means making the space more inclusive, namely addressing transphobia.
If you are a person with privilege (read: you aren’t putting yourself in danger by having this conversation) talk to people who are transphobic in your life. A lot of fear comes from misunderstanding. Build empathy, share relatable stories and media from trans folks.
To prevent Bill 29 which is rooted in misinformation, and fear-mongering, we must do the opposite; educate, discuss and learn to empathize.
