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Joseph Cannisi's Jan. 16 letter detailing how religion has been used to further evil and proclaiming his faith in science was good except for one major flaw. He attributes bans on transgender athletes competing in female sports to religion. Actually, it is supported by science.
Most men and boys are bigger and stronger than most women and girls. This does not change when a male decides that he is really a female and has a sex change operation. Giving transgender athletes the "right" to compete in female sports creates unfair competition for females and therefore violates their rights.
But I would make one exception. Any transgender athlete who wants to fight Rhonda Rousey should be allowed to do so.
This often gets lumped together with gay rights. But the right of consenting people to have sex with people of whatever gender they choose actually makes sense. The government, religious people or anyone else should not be dictating what type of sex others engage in. That's a matter of preserving people's rights, not violating them.
In addition, I'd like to make the following point. Now there are people who claim they cannot make up their minds as to whether they are male or female. That makes no sense. But they don't want to be referred to as "he" or "she." Each of these individuals want to be referred to as "they."
The definition of "they" is more than one person. If you tell me "they are walking down the street" and I see only one person, I will be confused.
Also, I have never read or heard any explanation to justify how it can be fair to have transgender athletes compete in female sports or how someone cannot know if they are male or female. It seems we are supposed to accept the arguments of those who advocate these positions without explanation.
Richard Warren
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fcannisi
There seems to be considerable confusion around transgender individuals, including those who play sports. The hormone treatments required to transition from male to female greatly reduce testosterone, muscle mass, speed, strength, endurance, blood oxygen levels and red cell counts. That is scientifically indisputable.
As to how someone cannot "know" their gender identity, only someone who has been through it can answer that question. Not I, and obviously not Mr. Warren.
Wednesday, January 21 Report this
Valete
Warren’s letter rightly raises concerns about an uneven playing field if transgender athletes compete in women’s sports due to physical differences.
I concur with Warren’s concerns. Transgender men should compete against each other, not against women, as it’s unfair and unjust.
Furthermore, using the pronoun “they” for transgender individuals is confusing and grammatically incorrect.
Wednesday, January 21 Report this