A good reminder from the Witches of the East:

The Science is In: Why Everything You’ve Been Told About Trans Women in Sport is a Myth

So Shhhhhh yourselves transphobes & bigots. Sit down!

1. On Total Domination

Transphobes would tell you: Transgender women are "invading" women’s sport and winning every single medal and trophy available.

But the facts are: Trans women are a tiny minority in sport. Despite being eligible for the Olympics for over 20 years, a trans woman has never won an Olympic medal. Most trans athletes compete with mixed results, often finishing in the middle or back of the pack, just like any other competitor.

2. On Biological Advantage

Transphobes would tell you: It doesn’t matter if they take hormones; the physical advantage of male puberty can never be reversed.

But the facts are: Medical research shows that after 12 to 24 months of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), trans women experience a significant loss in muscle mass, bone density, and haemoglobin levels. This brings their physical performance capacity in line with that of cisgender women.

3. On Fairness and Outliers

Transphobes would tell you: It is "inherently unfair" for a trans woman to compete because of her height or reach.

But the facts are: Sport has always celebrated biological outliers. We do not ban exceptionally tall basketball players or swimmers with massive hands. "Fairness" is also dictated by access to elite coaching and funding, which have a far greater impact on success than gender identity alone.

4. On Opportunistic Transitioning

Transphobes would tell you: Men are "pretending" to be trans just so they can win easy trophies in the women’s category.

But the facts are: There is no documented case of this ever happening. Transitioning is a difficult process lasting many years involving medical, legal, and social hurdles. No one undergoes years of ostracisation and public scrutiny just to win a local trophy.

5. On Saving Women’s Sport

Transphobes would tell you: We have to ban trans women to protect the very existence of women’s sport.

But the facts are: Cisgender female athletes say the real threats to their sport are a lack of funding, the gender pay gap, and systemic harassment. Excluding trans women actually hurts all women, as it leads to invasive "gender policing" of any woman who looks "too masculine" or performs "too well."

6. On the Reason People Play

Transphobes would tell you: Trans athletes only care about "stealing" medals and scholarships from "real" women.

But the facts are: Trans people play sport for the same reasons everyone else does: for mental health, community, and physical fitness. Research shows that inclusive policies save lives by supporting the mental wellbeing of trans youth, without negatively affecting the success of their cisgender peers.