Transgender Athletes: A Featured Controversy from Issues & Controversies
Featured in Issues & Controversies:
TRANSGENDER ATHLETES: Should Transgender Women Be Allowed to Compete in Women’s Sports?
Should trans women be allowed to compete in women’s sports? Be sure to check out Issues & Controversies’ complete and unbiased coverage of this divisive issue. Here is a sample of the pro/con arguments on both sides of the issue.
| SUPPORTERS ARGUE | OPPONENTS ARGUE |
| Trans women are women, and they should be allowed to compete in the pastimes they love. Hormone therapy erases any competitive advantages, and claims that trans participation will lead to the death of women’s sports are alarmist and unfounded. Physiological differences between athletes are a reality in every sport. | Trans women have physiological advantages that make it unfair for them to compete against cisgender women. Even with hormone therapy, trans women still benefit from numerous traits, including stronger muscles, bigger lungs, and more red blood cells. Trans rights should not come at the expense of hard-working female athletes. |
The pro/con article links to rich related resources that enhance the debate. Students and researchers can explore the “By the Numbers” data, primary sources that provide context, court cases, debate videos, NPR podcasts, editorials, a Reuters® newsfeed, a chronology, and a bibliography and further resources. Plus, discussion questions are provided to inspire critical thinking and analysis.
What Is the Issues & Controversies ?
Issues & Controversies is a multimedia solution that helps students understand contemporary issues, assess different perspectives, distinguish fact from opinion, reach their own conclusions, and build critical thinking and writing skills. It features balanced pro/con articles and primary sources for current events, civics instruction, and class discussion.
