The Patriot Post® · Male-Female Sports Compromise Is a Devil's Bargain

FINA, the world swimming governing body, has released new “gender inclusive” rules for gender dysphoric men competing in women’s swim competitions. To address one of the larger complaints — men having a biological advantage — FINA has banned men from competing unless they have “not experienced any part of male puberty beyond Tanner Stage 2,” or have medically transitioned before the age of 12, “whichever comes first.”

This compromise is a devil’s bargain. Banning older gender-confused males who have gone through puberty but permitting boys who have undergone sex-reassignment is trading one evil for another. Twelve-year-olds are not old enough to consent or understand the consequences of medically “transitioning.” The FINA rule gives groomers yet another leg to stand on to ruin children’s lives.

FINA is not the only sports organization that is rethinking women’s sports. World Athletics, which oversees track and field and cross country, is also examining its policy. In response to FINA’s moves, World Athletics President and British politician Lord Sebastian Coe had this to say about his governing body’s position: “We see an international federation asserting its primacy in setting rules, regulations and policies that are in the best interest of its sport. This is as it should be. … But when push comes to shove, if it’s a judgement between inclusion and fairness, we will always fall down on the side of fairness — that for me is non-negotiable.”

This governing body at least recognizes common sense.

The International Rugby League has also decided to ban biological males from competing in women’s rugby, with the caveat that men are banned until “more research is conducted.” In other words, the women are safe from confused men taking over their sport until ideologically motivated scientists can justify — using junk science — men’s participation.

FIFA is also weighing the cost-benefit of permitting men to play in women’s soccer. It has not made a public decision, but U.S. women’s team spokesperson/resident activist Megan Rapinoe has sounded off.

Unsurprisingly, she is all for the “inclusion” of male athletes. Her comments in an interview with Time magazine highlighted just how far down the ideological rabbit hole she has fallen. There are four things in particular that need to be called out.

Her first entrée into the conversation was to call people who disagreed with her stance ignorant. Here was her exact wording: “Frankly, I think what a lot of people know is versions of the Right’s talking points because they’re very loud. They’re very consistent, and they’re relentless.” The Right may be loud and relentless, but the Left is louder and far more violent. This tone-deaf comment is coming from a supporter of the activists who burned down cities and destroyed businesses during the BLM summer of riots; who are currently firebombing pregnancy centers; and who are illegally protesting outside Supreme Court justices’ homes.

Yeah … that should give a taste of the rest of the inanity of this interview. But here are more of her greatest hits.

When asked about the question of fairness, Rapinoe’s response was that FIFA could craft regulations nullifying any biological advantage at the upper levels — meaning college and beyond. This is incredibly naive and shortsighted. In most sports, the building blocks to get to college, semi-pro, and pro start in clubs and high school. If biological girls are pushed out of those building blocks — or if they are severely hurt because of playing with or against a biological male, ending their soccer career before they even have a chance — how does Rapinoe’s assurance of justice at the highest levels of play make sense? It doesn’t.

Rapinoe also said that high school sports don’t matter. She declared: “We’re talking about people’s lives. I’m sorry, your kid’s high school volleyball team just isn’t that important. It’s not more important than any one kid’s life.” Ergo, in her version of reality, the inclusion of biological men on the women’s team for the sake of their feelings is more important than the safety, opportunity, and feelings of the biological women.

The most outrageous point Rapinoe makes is this: “Show me the evidence that trans women are taking everyone’s scholarships, are dominating in every sport, are winning every title. I’m sorry, it’s just not happening.” Let’s start with the name Lia Thomas. He was a male swimmer who had average times for a guy when he “transitioned” to female, at which point he began shattering women’s records. Then there are the two “transgender” athletes in Connecticut who have won 15 high school track championships, taking away 15 titles that should have gone to women.

First leftists claim, “It’s not happening.” Then when you cite specific examples, they turn around and say, “It’s good that it’s happening.”

While it’s good that some governing sports bodies are discussing the integrity of women’s sports, the broad refusal to put an unequivocal foot down and not bend even in the slightest to this cultural insanity is a shame. Men are not women — that is the truth. And not hurting men’s feelings is not more important than the truth. Their rights do not trump the rights of women. Period.