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Book part
Publication date: 9 November 2023

Helen Jefferson Lenskyj and Ali Durham Greey

In the face of widespread opposition and hostility, trans and nonbinary athletes, from recreational to professional levels, continue to resist exclusion and oppression by daring…

Abstract

In the face of widespread opposition and hostility, trans and nonbinary athletes, from recreational to professional levels, continue to resist exclusion and oppression by daring to compete, participate and play. The long-standing binary thinking that characterizes sport poses particular challenges for trans women, who are positioned by advocates of trans exclusion as an alleged threat to women's sport.

As context for this discussion, Lenskyj examines how social psychologists have contributed to understandings of belonging and community and the implications for trans and nonbinary athletes' rights to share the benefits that sport offers. The concept of ‘deliberative freedoms’ – including freedom to live one's life without having others view certain traits as ‘costs’ – provides a framework for investigating resistance.

Greey then draws on a sociological understanding of gender to argue that inclusion is not synonymous with belonging. Belonging for trans athletes, Greey argues, requires more than the ‘letter of the law.’ Belonging requires recognition from teammates, coaches and other sport community members. An overview of terminology is presented, followed by an overview of chapters, summarizing the key themes and findings.

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Trans Athletes’ Resistance
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-80382-364-5

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 5 December 2022

Helen Jefferson Lenskyj and Ali Durham Greey

The last decade has seen significant positive changes in global attitudes, policies and practices that impact the lives of trans people. Meanwhile, the world of sport has been…

Abstract

The last decade has seen significant positive changes in global attitudes, policies and practices that impact the lives of trans people. Meanwhile, the world of sport has been notoriously slow to follow these social justice initiatives. In fact, sport has the dubious distinction of lagging behind almost every other western social organization on issues of discrimination, whether based on sex, gender, ‘race’, ethnicity, social class, religion or ability. Underlying these trends is the binary thinking that has formed the basis for gender categories of sport and physical activity for over a century.

The introduction begins as Helen Lenskyj extends the issue of justice for trans athletes beyond the scope of sport. Next, the contemporary socio-political contexts in the US, UK, and beyond are outlined. A brief description of the common ground between justice for trans and intersex athletes is provided, while noting that the focus of this book is on trans athletes. An overview of terminology is presented.

Ali Greey then describes their personal experience competing for Canada as a non-binary athlete. Engaging Gleaves and Lehrbach's (2016) work, their argument challenges the viability of making trans-exclusive physiological equivalency synonymous with a rhetoric of fairness. Finally, the authors explain the volume's analytic frameworks and present an overview of the contents, summarizing the key themes and findings.

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Justice for Trans Athletes
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-80262-985-9

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 9 November 2023

Helen Jefferson Lenskyj and Ali Durham Greey

This chapter investigates resistance initiated by trans athletes and their allies and evaluates developments in policies and practices at the international, national and local…

Abstract

This chapter investigates resistance initiated by trans athletes and their allies and evaluates developments in policies and practices at the international, national and local levels of sport. The limitations of liberal approaches to trans inclusion are identified, and examples of radical, transformative approaches grounded in intersectional feminism are presented, together with an analysis of the crucial roles of solidarity work provided by allies and accomplices. The potential offered by boxing as a route to empowerment for trans and nonbinary participants is examined. An overview of recent media coverage of trans athletes suggests that global resistance is having an important impact on mainstream journalism. Finally, this chapter outlines how a successful campaign challenging a trans-exclusive Sport Canada's 2022 opinion survey and a recent report by Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport provide further evidence of effective resistance to trans exclusion in sport.

Details

Trans Athletes’ Resistance
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-80382-364-5

Keywords

Content available
Book part
Publication date: 5 December 2022

Abstract

Details

Justice for Trans Athletes
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-80262-985-9

Content available
Book part
Publication date: 9 November 2023

Abstract

Details

Trans Athletes’ Resistance
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-80382-364-5

Abstract

Details

The Olympic Games: A Critical Approach
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-83867-776-3

Abstract

Details

The Olympic Games: A Critical Approach
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-83867-776-3

Book part
Publication date: 28 September 2018

Helen Jefferson Lenskyj

Abstract

Details

Gender, Athletes’ Rights, and the Court of Arbitration for Sport
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78743-753-1

Book part
Publication date: 5 December 2022

Ali Durham Greey and Helen Jefferson Lenskyj

Formidable social-cultural and legal challenges face trans athletes, particularly trans girls and women, at the global, national and local levels. Two underlying and mutually…

Abstract

Formidable social-cultural and legal challenges face trans athletes, particularly trans girls and women, at the global, national and local levels. Two underlying and mutually reinforcing themes are in evidence throughout these analyses: the principle of sport exceptionalism, and the power of the media to shape trans-related discourse.

The longstanding concept of ‘sport exceptionalism’ is routinely invoked to justify trans girls' and women's exclusion: that is, rules applying to other social contexts and workplaces must be suspended in relation to sport, so that women's ‘safety’ and ‘fairness’ may be guaranteed.

Mainstream and social media contribute to trans exclusionary attitudes, by spreading misinformation and promoting a moral panic over the spectre of trans women taking over girls' and women's sport. Detailed analyses of media treatment of trans athletes Laurel Hubbard and Lia Thomas demonstrate these trends. Moreover, media play a significant role when they are reporting on global, national and local developments in sport policies and practices, with media distortion of scientific findings exacerbating these problems.

An examination of conceptual and applied responses to these challenges provides the context for exploring the way forward: new ways of imagining sport that are inclusive and just.

Details

Justice for Trans Athletes
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-80262-985-9

Keywords

Abstract

Details

The Olympic Games: A Critical Approach
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-83867-776-3

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