Boris Johnson: Transgender women should not be competing in female sporting events
April 6, 2022, 6:17 pm

Boris Johnson: Transgender women should not be competing in female sporting events

Boris Johnson-UK Prime Minister/Official Facebook page

The Chanel News Asia reported, citing Reuters, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson told broadcasters on Wednesday (6 Apr) transgender women should not be competing in female sporting events.

Johnson was speaking as the country looked set to abandon plans to hold a flagship conference designed to promote LGBT+ rights around the world.

Charities and organisations are boycotting the event following a dispute over conversion therapy for transgender people.

Johnson said: "I don't think biological males should be competing in female sporting events. Maybe that's a controversial thing to say, but it just seems to me to be sensible."

"I also happen to think that women should have spaces - whether it's in hospitals, prison or changing rooms - which are dedicated to women. That's as far as my thinking has developed on this issue.

LGBT-Letter cubes (File photo: Pixabay) — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson told broadcasters on Wednesday (6 Apr) transgender women should not be competing in female sporting events (File photo: Pixabay)

"If that puts me in conflict with some others, then we have got to work it all out. It doesn't mean I'm not immensely sympathetic to people who want to change gender, to transition and it's vital we give people the maximum love and support in making those decisions."

Transgender rights has become a hot talking point as sports seek to balance inclusivity with ensuring there is no unfair advantage.

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Transgender cyclist Emily Bridges was ruled out of Britain's National Omnium Championships last weekend after the sport's governing body, the UCI, ruled she was ineligible.

British Cycling had cleared Bridges to take part under their "Transgender and Non-Binary Participation policy".

New Zealand weightlifter Laurel Hubbard became the first transgender athlete to compete at the Olympics Games in Tokyo last year.

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University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas last month became the first transgender National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) champion in Division I history after winning the women's 500-yard freestyle.

Thomas competed on Pennsylvania's men's team for three years before transitioning and setting multiple programme records with the women's team, but her eligibility has come under considerable scrutiny.

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The latest International Olympic Committee (IOC) guidance, updated in November last year, is that no athlete should be excluded from competition on the grounds of a perceived unfair advantage due to gender.

Source: cna

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Upon arriving to participate in the summit of the European Political Community, which includes around forty heads of state in Budapest, he said, "I look forward to sitting with the elected U.S. president and seeing how we will collectively ensure we meet challenges, including the threats from Russia and North Korea." He also noted that the strengthening of ties between Russia and North Korea poses a threat to the United States as well, according to reports from Agence France-Presse.

Before Trump's victory, Rutte expressed confidence that a united Washington would remain part of the defensive alliance, even if Trump became the 47th president of the United States. In an interview with German public broadcaster ZDF last Monday night, he stated that both Republicans and Democrats understand that NATO serves not only the security of Europe but also that of America. He added that both candidates are aware that the security of the United States is closely tied to NATO.

On Wednesday, NATO congratulated Trump on his victory but did not address the Ukrainian issue.

It is noteworthy that the relationship between the elected U.S. president and the defense alliance was not the best during his first term in the White House. Trump criticized NATO member states multiple times and even hinted at withdrawing from the alliance unless they increased their financial contributions.

Additionally, the issue of the Russian-Ukrainian war is one of the matters that complicate relations between the two sides, especially since Trump has repeatedly stated that he can end this ongoing conflict, which began in 2022, quickly. He implied that he had a peace plan between Kyiv and Moscow, while his vice president, JD Vance, revealed aspects of that plan, which stipulated Ukraine's commitment not to join NATO, thereby sending reassuring signals to the Russians.

Furthermore, many NATO member states in Europe fear that Trump might halt military aid to Ukraine after he previously criticized the U.S. for pouring funds into supporting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.