Disinformation not the answer to evidence

Dr Charlie Burton  (November 13), in a detailed rebuttal to our article ‘Open and frank discussions only way forward regarding gender law reforms’ (November 6), failed to respond to the key facts we outlined concerning the biological differences between men and women as they pertain to competition sports.

Dr Burton appears to have completely omitted mentioning the recent decisions by the UK Sports Council Equality Group (SCEG) and World Rugby on transgender people playing in women’s sports.

The SCEG report stated ‘Our work exploring the latest research, evidence and studies made clear that there are retained differences in strength, stamina and physique between the average woman compared with the average transgender woman or non-binary person registered male at birth, with or without testosterone suppression’.

And from World Rugby’s review ‘new guidelines do not recommend that transwomen play women’s contact rugby on safety grounds at the international level of the game where size, strength, power and speed are crucial for both risk and performance, ….in light of growing evidence that the testosterone suppression required by previous transgender regulations does not significantly impact muscle mass, strength or power’.

Contrary to Dr Burton’s assertions, we have had numerous complaints from young Tasmanian sports women, from soccer to basketball, who say they do not think it is fair for transgender males to be playing in their teams but are too afraid to say anything for fear of being victimised by peers.

Tasmanian sporting organisations have a duty of care not to put females at risk of injury.

They need to avoid potential risk of litigation from any injuries and to develop policies that are evidence based and prioritise fairness and safety.

Dr Nicola Williams from Fair Play for Women has summed up the risk for sporting bodies in bending to political interference from political lobby groups ‘policy capture can cost your organisation big time’.

Jessica Hoyle – LGB Tasmania 
Rebecca Crossin – Keep Gender Ideology Out of Schools
Isla MacGregor – Women Speak Tasmania