In a huge blow to LGBTQ+ rights, the Rugby Football Union (RFU) are set to vote on a policy banning trans women from women’s rugby.
Over the last couple of years, trans athletes worldwide have been targeted by laws and policies that have sought to ban their participation in sports.
In the last two months, both FINA and the British Triathlon have announced new rules that have barred trans women from participating in their elite sports competitions.
Now it looks like trans women in England will soon be banned from playing on women’s rugby teams due to new recommendations from the RFU.
Currently, the English governing body allows trans women to participate in the sport as long as they undergo a medical and risk assessment.
In a statement, the RFU revealed that the new policy stemmed from a two-year review of scientific findings and consultations with other organisations like World Rugby – which banned transgender athletes in 2020.
They also said that a game-wide survey – which saw over 11,000 responses – was considered when creating the adjusted recommendations.
“The science provides the basis of the recommendation that the inclusion of trans people assigned male at birth in female contact rugby cannot be balanced against consideration of safety and fairness,” they said.
“The recommendation is that until such a time as new science is available, a precautionary approach is appropriate to ensure fair competition and safety for all competitors.
“This is a complex and difficult decision, and the recommendation has not been made lightly or without thorough and full research and consultation.”
According to a report from The Guardian, there are currently six transgender women in England who are playing the sport.
While they’ve been approved to play by a medical panel, the organisation claimed that the “case by case assessment is not without difficulties and can result in players not being permitted to participate.”
“In light of the research findings and work of World Rugby and the UK Sports Councils, and given the difficulties in identifying a credible test to assess physiological variables, it is recommended that this is no longer a viable option at this time and does not necessarily ensure inclusion,” they added.
While trans women will effectively be banned from the sport following the vote, the organisation said that trans men will still be allowed to play in men’s rugby as long as they “provide their written consent and a risk assessment.”
The RFU are set to vote on the new set of recommendations on 29 July.
Latest
