Take The Plunge

Another sports organization allows trans athletes, this time it is in swimming.

USA Swimming Passes Amendment Increasing Inclusion for Transgender Athletes
Swimming World
By Ryan Gibbons
October 2, 2018

This weekend, USA Swimming’s annual House of Delegates (HOD) meeting took place at the United States Aquatic Sports Convention in Jacksonville, FL. Among the many amendments passed included a proposal known as R-1, which further outlined the rights of transgender athletes and their participation in the sport.

The amendment, proposed by the board of directors, was passed without discussion on September 29. While somewhat overlooked, the new rule provides greater protection and definition for transgender athletes. It was given the formal purpose “to support a sport culture of inclusion and diversity, while assuring a fair competitive environment and seeking a national directive that does not permit modification at the local level (as local and state laws often differ by region).”

The amendment first outlines a clear process for athletes to request a change in their gender listed by USA Swimming. Per the new amendment to the registration process: “Any athlete wishing to change his or her competition category may apply to do so following the procedures outlined in the current USA Swimming Policy Manual.”
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USA Swimming’s policy towards transgender athletes is unique: unlike many sports governing bodies, it does not require conversion surgery to allow athletes to change their stated gender. Rather, swimmers can request gender choice without medical treatment.

Meanwhile north of the border…

New policy allows Canadian trans student-athletes on teams consistent with gender identity
U Sports, which governs university athletics in Canada, put its new policy into effect Thursday and says it affects student-athletes at all 56 of its member institutions
Vancouver Sun
By Nick Eagland September 28, 2018

A new policy allowing Canadian transgender student-athletes to compete on teams consistent with their gender identity and without hormone therapy is a welcome change, but more can still be done to make athletics inclusive of gender diversity, says a Vancouver trans athlete and consultant.

U Sports, which governs university athletics in Canada, put its new policy into effect Thursday and says it affects student-athletes at all 56 of its member institutions. Athletes can only compete on teams of one gender during a given academic year, and the policy doesn’t require them to undertake hormone therapy. They must also comply with the Canadian Anti-Doping Program.

“For me, it’s a step in the right direction,” said Kai Scott, a principal partner at TransFocus Consulting, which works with organizations addressing gender inclusion issues.

“I think these kinds of policies are really important. This one, in particular, is great for certain transgender student-athletes in that they can select the team or division that aligns with their gender identity. These kinds of policies are important declarations of support and assurance of inclusivity.”

These changes are amazing; they are a break from the Olympic rules that require being on hormones for an extended period of time.

Here in Connecticut there was a big flap over two trans high school athletes who won the state championships, so far the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference has stand their ground on allowing trans athletes to compete based on their gender identity.