A scientific survey confirms that a majority oppose including biological men in women’s sports and breaks the Left’s narrative that those who do so are “transphobic.”
The Washington Post-University of Maryland poll found that while many people personally know someone who identifies as transgender and say greater social acceptance of transgender people is good for society, many continue to oppose the inclusion of transgender participants in female athletics. In total, 49% of Americans oppose including biologically male transgender athletes in girls’ youth sports, 55% in women’s high school sports, and 58% in women’s college and professional sports.
An even greater percentage, 68%, agree that “transgender girls would have a competitive advantage over other girls” in youth sports.
Among those who have a family member or close friend who identifies as transgender, 70% believe greater social acceptance of transgender people is good for society, while only 49% say they should be included in women’s professional sports.
Michael Hanmer, the research director of UMD’s Center for Democracy and Civic Engagement, noted that smaller shifts in acceptance for transgender individuals in women’s sports than in society at large, even among those with transgender friends and family, suggest “there are additional considerations involved.”
This is common sense. The other considerations are significant, as men are physically built differently than women. Suppressing testosterone through blockers after puberty does not remove the competitive advantage men have over women. Biological advantages such as greater bone density, a bigger skeletal build, increased muscle strength, and heightened speed endure after hormone therapy.
It’s just not the “inclusion” issue the Left makes it out to be.
One pharmacy technician quoted in the Washington Post article stated that she “knows more than 10 transgender people and believes society should be accepting of them” but does not advocate their inclusion in women’s sports.
“Not to be mean, but biologically they’re built like a male, even though they identify as female … so of course they would have the advantage of winning,” she said.
A glance at the photos reveals a glaring difference. One example making rounds after London’s ThunderCrit June cycling event showed two men who identify as transgender kissing on the first- and second-place podiums, while the biological female who rightfully earned first stood on the third-place podium holding her child.
Biological men have taken a minimum of 28 girls’ and women’s sports titles over the past 19 years, according to a recent analysis. More than 20 of these titles were taken in the past five years. The report does not include second place, third place, or other ranking spots taken by men.
They’re clearly not just “other girls,” as the Washington Post refers to female-identifying men in its survey questions, when they’re sweeping the competition. There is broad support for protecting women’s sports, despite greater disagreement on the acceptability of transgenderism in general.
Yet, against the wishes of Olympic and college athletes who have spoken out, such as the teammates of transgender University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas, organizations such as the National Collegiate Athletic Association and International Olympic Committee continue to allow males in female competition as long as they are under the maximum testosterone levels and meet the eligibility criteria for their particular sport.
Even our president, who recently called state bans on men in women’s sports “dangerous anti-LGBTQI+ legislation” and is attempting to use Title IX to force the inclusion of transgender students in female sports, does not distinguish between hate and valid concerns about fairness. Accusations of transphobia fly in the face of reality: Even those highly accepting of transgender individuals are hesitant to allow them to compete against women because of very real biological differences.
Katelynn Richardson is a summer 2022 Washington Examiner fellow.
