The world of sports, especially women’s sports, has become a significant battleground for society’s larger conversations about gender, identity, and fairness, weaving together scientific insights, personal stories, legal battles, and differing views on existing protections and opportunities.
At the core of recent debates lies a challenge to traditional biological definitions, exemplified by a provocative op-ed in a major magazine penned by a university professor and biologist, which questions common understandings of gender identity, particularly in human beings.
Against this backdrop, some former college athletes have emerged as prominent voices advocating for unique perspectives on the issue. Riley Gaines, a decorated swimmer known for her strong opposition to the inclusion of transgender athletes who went through male puberty in women’s sports, has cited her own experiences extensively.
1.An op-ed published in Scientific American by University of Illinois Associate Prof. Charles Roseman and biologist Cara Ocobock, titled ‘To Understand Sex, We Need to Ask the Right Questions,’ sparked controversy by delving into the definition of sex, asserting that ‘the answer to the question of how many sexes exist differs depending on the context.’
They posed a fundamental question, asking, “So, if ‘sex’ is the answer, what is the question?” Roseman and Ocobock contended that this question isn’t easily answered and stated there’s no basis for making authoritative scientific declarations on the issue without incorporating ethical, moral, or social considerations. They believed that sex encompasses such a wide range of questions that it’s doubtful any single medical, scientific, or humanistic practitioner could devise a quest
2.This op-ed applies its nuanced perspective on gender and context directly to the complex issue of transgender athletes, noting how arguments for or against their inclusion often pivot on rigid distinctions in hormone types and levels, typically linking females with estrogen and males with testosterone.
They challenge this premise, claiming that the two hormones, estrogen and testosterone, do not conform to a strict binary. According to Rothman and Okobok’s research, both females and males require estrogen and testosterone to maintain normal bodily function, and there is overlap in the concentrations of these hormones in male and female individuals. This complicates the notion that hormones are fully consistent with a strict gender binary.
3. **Harsh criticism of the op-ed online**: The controversial op-ed published by Scientific American quickly sparked strong criticism from various people on online platforms, including political commentators and researchers. This strong negative reaction suggests that the views expressed in the article are not widely accepted or are considered problematic by many.
A specific rebuttal was offered by Zachary Elliott, founder of the Paradox Institute. Elliott refuted the views of the op-ed by pointing out that sex essentially means heterogamety, that is, differences in gamete size, which leads to differences in reproductive contribution. He argued that no species has ever been observed to have more than two sexes, and clarified that in different species, the two sexes can exist in different individuals and sometimes in the same individual.
Other online critics strongly objected to the magazine publishing the article. Radio host Christopher Calvin Reed wrote that the magazine “should not be allowed to call itself Scientific American” and further called the magazine’s name “fraudulent and dishonest.”
4.Amidst this broader discourse, several female athletes have bravely shared their viewpoints, with Riley Gaines emerging as a prominent national figure; her impressive record as a 12-time NCAA All-American swimmer and five-time SEC champion solidifies her standing as an authority in collegiate athletics.
Gaines is recognized for advocating to ‘save women’s sports by banning transgender people from participating,’ aiming to preserve the category for biological females in athletic competitions, drawing from her experience as a swimmer at the University of Kentucky to inform her efforts to shape the sport.
5.A pivotal moment that appears to have galvanized Gaines’s active engagement in sports advocacy was her direct experience competing against a transgender athlete, Lia Thomas, in a notable NCAA swimming event back in 2022.
The specific race in question was the 200-yard freestyle at the 2022 NCAA Championships, where transgender swimmer Lia Thomas participated in the women’s division, and Gaines, despite finishing the race, was ultimately placed behind Thomas, affecting her final standing.
This outcome at a prestigious national championship was described by Gaines as ‘heartbreaking’ and directly fueled her subsequent commitment to actively participate in and lead protests against the inclusion of transgender athletes in women’s sports.
6. **Gaines’s criticism of NCAA President Charlie Baker’s Senate testimony**: Riley Gaines has also publicly criticized NCAA leadership policies regarding transgender athletes. She recently criticized the NCAA and its current president, Charlie Baker. This criticism was in response to Baker’s testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee on a Tuesday mentioned in the article.
During her appearance before the committee, President Baker was asked directly about the questions raised by Gaines regarding her experience competing with transgender swimmer Leah Thomas in 2022. This shows that Gaines’ concerns have received national attention and the NCAA president has responded to them before the Senate committee.
Looking ahead, there’s substantial backing for athletes like Gaines who are championing women and fairness in sports, as this struggle extends beyond individual competitors or specific events; it profoundly impacts the future interpretation and implementation of a law that has been crucial for advancing women’s opportunities in America for over half a century.
