UK PM says transgender women should not compete in women's sports
Boris Johnson declared that he sympathizes with people who want to change their gender and make their transition, and emphasized that it is essential that they receive support and love to make that decision.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson stated that in his opinion transgender women should not participate in women's sports.
During a tour of a hospital in England last Wednesday, the official said that "biological men should not compete in women's sporting events", adding that although it could be taken as something controversial, it is sensible for him.
Additionally, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom said that women should have dedicated spaces for them in hospitals, prisons and other places.
Similarly, he stressed that these statements do not mean that he does not sympathize with people who want to change their gender and make their transition, and emphasized that it is essential that they receive support and love to make that decision.
Ban on “conversion therapy”
Johnson's statements come after the controversy generated in the European country after the government announced last week that they will ban conversion therapies for homosexual or bisexual people, but not for transgender people.
These "conversion therapies" seek to change or eliminate the perception that an individual has about their gender, when it does not match that of their birth, as well as their sexuality.
According to the British newspaper The Guardian, both Boris Johnson and his predecessor Theresa May have promised to make such practices illegal.
British transgender cyclist denied participation in women's competition
Last week, the British Cycling Federation (British Cycling) announced that the International Cycling Union (UCI) would have rejected the participation of the 21-year-old transgender athlete, Emily Bridges, who was scheduled to compete this weekend. in her first women's race, where she would face Olympic athletes like Laura Kenny.
In a statement released by the LGBTQIA+ cycling group PRIDE OUT, Bridges explained that he provided medical evidence showing that he meets the eligibility parameters for transgender cyclists, including his testosterone limit, which has been well below the limit prescribed by regulation for the last 12 months.
Since March 2020, UCI regulations state that transgender women must reduce their testosterone levels below 5 nmol/L for at least 12 months in order to compete in women's events.
On the other hand, it was revealed that the UCI did not approve the participation of Bridges as a woman, since he is registered in the Union as a man and his male identification has not expired.
The cyclist declared in this regard that, "No one should have to choose between being who they are and participating in the sport they love (...) I am an athlete and I just want to compete again."