NRLW to get its first Transgender player next season -Updated

Nelson said:
There are so few people that fall into that category that they wouldn't be able to form a comp, so they just end up getting excluded and missing out. Plus it would just leave them feeling ostracised and different (which they don't need any extra help with).
People who are actually transgender aren't just making a "choice" to become the opposite to their biological gender, that is the gender they genuinely feel they are and they feel like imposters in their gendered body. The "choice" they have is to live with that feeling or do something about it. To be included and welcomed by the gender they actually feel they are would be huge for them and what does it actually cost? Bugger all.
Sport has never been an entirely level playing field. There are 100kg kids playing against 45kg kids in some comps. There are kids who are naturally stacked with fast-twitch fibres and kids with bugger all. No matter how hard some kids work they are just ectomorphs who will never compete at the highest levels in strength-based sports. Genetics make a massive difference regardless of gender. At the competitive levels of sport sure, you put in restrictions on testosterone and other hormone levels in the same way that restrictions are placed on performance-enhancing drugs. The talk about increased muscle mass in men largely derives from hormones like testosterone. You take away the testosterone and they will not be buidling or maintaining muscle mass like men do - nothing like it.
Otherwise if a majority of women are happy to welcome transgender competitors into their competitions then good on them. Their choice, not mine.
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I knew if I kept an eye on this thread long enough there would be a great post.
 
Being passionate about something is fine
Nelson said:
There are so few people that fall into that category that they wouldn't be able to form a comp, so they just end up getting excluded and missing out. Plus it would just leave them feeling ostracised and different (which they don't need any extra help with).
People who are actually transgender aren't just making a "choice" to become the opposite to their biological gender, that is the gender they genuinely feel they are and they feel like imposters in their gendered body. The "choice" they have is to live with that feeling or do something about it. To be included and welcomed by the gender they actually feel they are would be huge for them and what does it actually cost? Bugger all.
Sport has never been an entirely level playing field. There are 100kg kids playing against 45kg kids in some comps. There are kids who are naturally stacked with fast-twitch fibres and kids with bugger all. No matter how hard some kids work they are just ectomorphs who will never compete at the highest levels in strength-based sports. Genetics make a massive difference regardless of gender. At the competitive levels of sport sure, you put in restrictions on testosterone and other hormone levels in the same way that restrictions are placed on performance-enhancing drugs. The talk about increased muscle mass in men largely derives from hormones like testosterone. You take away the testosterone and they will not be buidling or maintaining muscle mass like men do - nothing like it.
Otherwise if a majority of women are happy to welcome transgender competitors into their competitions then good on them. Their choice, not mine.
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Agree or not - fair and measured response to the topic.
 
It’s not just about muscle mass. It’s about strength, it’s about aerobic capacities. It’s about body density. Go punch a man in the shoulder, then do the same to a woman. We are very very different animals. There are certainly sports where there should and do exist no categories. Men and women compete against each other in dancing sports such as ice skating, horse riding sports such as show jumping and equestrian..even racing…darts is another. Full contact sport doesn’t fit the category.

Anyone remember the Williams sisters at the height of their powers, claiming they could beat any man in the world outside the top 200? A German dude put his hand up and flogged the pants off both of them back to back. The ladies later claimed they were powerless to stop him, suggesting they’d both hit numerous shots that were winners in the womens comp, that he not only got to, but returned as winners himself. We are so different in our makeup, that we could be different species.

I applaud the courage of the ladies claiming they don’t see a problem and are even looking forward to the challenge. I also look forward to their assessment after they’ve competed against someone who hits them harder than they’ve ever been hit, fatigues far less slowly and possesses speed they can’t catch. The tune will change then and it will be too late. Inclusiveness should not come at the expense of equality and fairness. There are already precedents being set around the world where this is the case.
 
Telltails said:
Being passionate about something is fine
Agree or not - fair and measured response to the topic.
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Passion, honesty, resilience and courage are undoubtedly the hallmarks of those who are transgender and who participate in sport. It is when that participation turns competitive and essentially professional, that division between compassion and "fair play" start to conflict. Remember the current 16 boys champion of NSW, runs roughly same as the fastest female on the planet. That is where the "fair" debate hits a hurdle, pardon the pun. (not counting Flo Jo's 10.49 drug assisted)
 
Lankanflyer10.98 said:
Passion, honesty, resilience and courage are undoubtedly the hallmarks of those who are transgender and who participate in sport. It is when that participation turns competitive and essentially professional, that division between compassion and "fair play" start to conflict. Remember the current 16 boys champion of NSW, runs roughly same as the fastest female on the planet. That is where the "fair" debate hits a hurdle, pardon the pun. (not counting Flo Jo's 10.49 drug assisted)
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Another fair and measured response - hence why the debate with no easy answer.
 
Unless I've missed it, I don't think the motive behind transgenders wanting to play in a women's competition has been discussed. What is their motive?
 
Nelson said:
There are so few people that fall into that category that they wouldn't be able to form a comp, so they just end up getting excluded and missing out. Plus it would just leave them feeling ostracised and different (which they don't need any extra help with).
People who are actually transgender aren't just making a "choice" to become the opposite to their biological gender, that is the gender they genuinely feel they are and they feel like imposters in their gendered body. The "choice" they have is to live with that feeling or do something about it. To be included and welcomed by the gender they actually feel they are would be huge for them and what does it actually cost? Bugger all.
Sport has never been an entirely level playing field. There are 100kg kids playing against 45kg kids in some comps. There are kids who are naturally stacked with fast-twitch fibres and kids with bugger all. No matter how hard some kids work they are just ectomorphs who will never compete at the highest levels in strength-based sports. Genetics make a massive difference regardless of gender. At the competitive levels of sport sure, you put in restrictions on testosterone and other hormone levels in the same way that restrictions are placed on performance-enhancing drugs. The talk about increased muscle mass in men largely derives from hormones like testosterone. You take away the testosterone and they will not be buidling or maintaining muscle mass like men do - nothing like it.
Otherwise if a majority of women are happy to welcome transgender competitors into their competitions then good on them. Their choice, not mine.
Click to expand...
That's a pretty good rap without an emotional dig.
The thing I got out of that is your saying that if the NRLW gives it the thumbs up then that it, end of story,
Is that it really?
Is that the opinion if all Australians. 🤔
Why is the NRL putting this pressure on the girls when clearly it is not the general consensus.
 
Cobarcats said:
That's a pretty good rap without an emotional dig.
The thing I got out of that is your saying that if the NRLW gives it the thumbs up then that it, end of story,
Is that it really?
Is that the opinion if all Australians. 🤔
Why is the NRL putting this pressure on the girls when clearly it is not the general consensus.
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The trouble with this conversation Cobar is that one side of the argument is all about letting transgenders play in a womens sport no matter the consequences....
The other side finds arguments why they shouldnt compete in a womens comp,however that side gets labelled as a negative person towards transgender people...
The one big difference is that the NRL should be making a ruling whether they play in the womens comp as they are the ruling body,not the players themselves...
the NRL should have the balls (pardon the pun) to make that decision.....
 
I've been saying that from day dot.
The only reason I keep coming back to this topic is not because I have a fascination with transgenders as previously raised, but I feel as a senior person in society, that we do not jump into the deep end of the pool without being able to swim.
I do get it that our/me have reacted to this proposal with animosity and from a transgender's point of view is unfair.
All I can say is if the role was reversed would you not agree that there would be the same amount of opposition?
 
Pascoes_barber said:
Yeah, exactly. You could have regular tests based on standards for height:weight and strength. Exceed weight or strength and 'fail' until you drop the weight off.
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That could work.
So the strength test would go like " OK Sharon, let's see . . . if you lift these weights, you fail and have to go back to playing against men. If you can't lift them, then you can play against women."
The sarcastic bugger in me think Sharon simply won't be able to lift that weight, no matter how "hard" she tries
 
formerguest said:
No, nothing to do with homosexuals or homophobia at all. You may be discussing such and conflating them with transgender persons, but I certainly am not.

Rather, that the loudest angry voices on transgender issues are more likely to be making such a fuss about it because of their desires and insecurities, than those that are not attacking them.
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Lolololol. I'd say the ones defending them have the desires. Similar thinking would suggest similar wants and needs. And if those are the desires you have, you go for it formerguest !
 
Spartan117 said:
How is this thread still going?
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Yeah, every time I read the start of the topic heading (NRLW to get first...) I think it's in regards to the Wests Tigers getting a team. Would love to see the WT in the NRLW next year. The game on the weekend showed we're super competitive on the field as well as off. Fingers crossed!
 
Cobarcats said:
That's a pretty good rap without an emotional dig.
The thing I got out of that is your saying that if the NRLW gives it the thumbs up then that it, end of story,
Is that it really?
Is that the opinion if all Australians. 🤔
Why is the NRL putting this pressure on the girls when clearly it is not the general consensus.
Click to expand...

Why would the "girls" be feeling pressure over making a decision that entirely impacts them?
 
Tucker said:
Because their job is to play sport, not make decisions that will cause controversy, impacting them off the field. They have a professional administration to deal with these types of issues.
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I'm sure the administration will help provide some unbiassed info to assist all players in deciding for themselves.

I think blokes (myself included) need to take a big step back and let the women decide for themselves. it's their comp.
 
pawsandclaws1 said:
Formerguest is one of the most empathetic posters on this forum. His statement was qualified and my only advice is be comfortable with who you are.
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Paws I respect what you have said but we can't label or categorise people here for their opinions.
If your going to agree with the "loudest theory" then you could throw in there the people who preach religion and appear to "loudly" stick up for the oppressed and the misunderstood, then in private they are committing terrible sins.
Several of us feel very strong about this topic. I can tell you one thing that is fact...
If a transgender were to message me or was brave enough to address the forum on this matter I would be respectful and not insult the person, BUT I would not change my opinion and try to have a sensible and human debate... something that I think a lot of us have swayed away from in the forum,
Respect 🤜🤛
 
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