Transgender Student-Athlete Rights

Authors

Margaret E. Ciccolella, University of the PacificFollow
Sharon A. West-Sell, University of the PacificFollow
J. Mark Van Ness, University of the PacificFollow

ORCID

Margaret Ciccolella - 0000-0001-9853-4649; Sharon West-Sell - 0009-0003-0837-6125

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Professionalization of Exercise Physiology

Department

Health, Exercise, and Sport Sciences Department

ISSN

1099-5862

Volume

24

Issue

2

First Page

1

Last Page

10

Publication Date

3-1-2021

Abstract

Debate on sport participation based on sex hinges on how the designation of “sex” is made. Categorization that allows self-identification of sex versus biological identification of sex faces legal, ethical, and moral challenges. Sexual determination can be ambiguous, cumbersome, and difficult for transgender athletes. Because of this, hormone levels have been identified as possible discriminating variables. But more attention needs to be paid to the duration of athlete development with elevated levels of testosterone. These issues identify problems with fairness to cis females competing against transfemales, even serious dangers within contact sports. Legal resolutions using a biological definition of sex are not without challenge as it leaves the rights for competition uncertain for transgender athletes.

Recommended Citation

Ciccolella, M. E., West-Sell, S. A., & Van Ness, J. M. (2021). Transgender Student-Athlete Rights. Professionalization of Exercise Physiology, 24(2), 1–10.
https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/cop-facarticles/907