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"Unfair Advantage" is Unfairly Singled Out

don't let them get away with simultaneously appearing pro-trans and acting anti-trans

Below is written in response to a discussion about the controversy over transsexual woman Lara Lawless' admission to LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association).

Forum: Trans-Academics
Date: 12/03/2010

On Dec 3, 2010, at 5:00 PM, peter ringo wrote:

I don't have a strong opinion on it. The reason I think that concerns may be legitimate because of the likelihood of differences in skeletal size, mainly. Here's a brief interview with Kate Bornstein, who advocates making decisions about the inclusion of athletes who are transwomen on a case-by-case basis

Last time I checked, the World Is Not A Fair Place. People are born into the world with varied levels of physical and mental capabilities as well as social status and privileges. When a particular marginalised group of people are excluded for their perceived "unfair advantage" while all other "unfair advantages" such as money, white skin, and yes cissexual privilege are ignored, the suspicion arises that the exclusion is based not on any legitimate concern over the "unfair advantage," but on prejudices.

The only relevant question is: is she a woman? If so, she should be allowed to compete. If anyone thinks she is not, then let them make their case. Don't let them get away with saying that they respect her as a woman but she still should not be allowed to compete as a woman, because that is pure prejudice.

Best,

Emi Koyama
http://eminism.org/