Fair Play. Katie Barnes.

Fair Play.   Katie Barnes.

How Sports Shape the Gender Debates.  

So, this is another book about the topic of gender and transgender rights to participate in competitive sports.    The purpose behind this book was to explore how all this came about, the stories that have impacted this topic and where things currently stand.

The author, Katie Barnes, has put together a comprehensive look at how sports has influenced public outcry and legislation regarding the topic of trans gender athletes competing in various sporting events around the globe.   

What the reader will find are many in-depth case study examples that take us through their upbringing, influences and thought process.    Barnes humanizes these athletes and explains why it is important for them to participate and compete.     Throughout the book, the author attempts to present both sides of the argument without trying to influence the reader in either direction.

In one of the latter chapters, however, Barnes does give her take and thoughts on the issues at hand.    So, while the author is gay and identifies as they/them it might not be hard to imagine the bias towards full and equal participation for all transgender athletes.     However, they are even keeled and realistic in their assessment.    Barnes provides a pretty fair and reasonable amount of sensitivity for both sides in their personal assessment.  At one point Barnes wisely, if not boldly, suggests that some of the laws in place working against transgender athletes (transgender girls mostly) because some just simply do NOT want them to participate.   

Inside, the reader will become well acquainted with some of the common parlance associated with this topic such as trans gender, cis gender, DSD (difference of sex development), Gender Identify and Sex assigned at birth.    In fact, the concept of gender assigned at birth versus the gender identification (at the time of competition) is one of the most heavily debated and discussed topics in the book.   The author astutely points out that the debate often stems around those transgender athletes that are successful and happen to win some or many of their selected events.    The blow-back from those opposed is likely not so much that a trans athlete has an unfair advantage but that they took an opportunity away from a cisgender athlete to win.   In essence Barnes asserts that losing may be the bigger issue at hand.   

Barnes dives into physiology and science to help address points and to keep the debate open and fair.   However, this issue seems to be more of a concern with the transgender female competition.   Barnes explains how those opposed think the trans athlete has an edge due to the testosterone, size, and muscle development.   However, the content of the book attempts to explain that testosterone by itself does not make one a better athlete.  There are too many other factors and intangibles that go into this as well.   In the end, the author effectively asserts that sports are not always fair.  Many advantages exist from one cisgender athlete to another and little to no adjustments are made in that regard.

Furthermore, the author slyly notes that there is often little debate among men’s sports.   Transgender boys are commonly welcome to participate without testing or any other medical requirements or restrictions.   Conversely, transgender females are currently subjected to testing including testosterone suppression for at least 12 months (and in some cases longer).    The root of this, as Barnes interjects, relates to the notion that since men are (unfairly) considered the physically superior gender, a female crossing over to male is likely little threat to challenge the men or compromise the integrity of male sports.    The entire concept is a sticking point early in the book.   The narrative that all males are superior athletes at birth is likely an unfair stigma or stereotype and frankly, at least according to the author, inaccurate. 

This book compares very favorably to one that was previously reviewed on this blog, The Burden of Sports, John Weston Parry.    The primary differences are that Barnes provides more extensive coverage of the athletes and features dialogue and discussion from legislators and debaters across the board.   This reads like less of a textbook and more of a story at times.   There is some minutia (particularly all the organizations and committees involved) to wade through in the two hundred and sixty pages.    However, for one looking to explore and learn more about this relatively new but every growing sports-related topic, this would be a good choice.        

·         You might like to read this book if you are interested in learning more about transgender participation in sports.

·         You might like to read this book to discover more about the rules and laws that protect and work against transgender athletes.  

·         You might like to read this book if you seek edification about binary and transgender concepts and how they relate and connect to sports and athletic competitions. 

 

Read more about the author on X:   https://twitter.com/katie_barnes3