Abstract
A growing awareness of transgender issues has exploded in recent years, especially after the high-profile gender reconstruction surgery of former Olympian Caitlyn Jenner. The rising awareness has caused activism both for and against the transgender community, and forces us to question many of the binaries that permeate culture. The sporting world is not immune to this debate; in fact, the need to separate individuals into categories for competition adds complexity to an already tangled debate. Using case studies from the sporting world, including Chris Mosier, Mack Beggs, Laurel Hubbard and others, the paper will explore the underlying value systems as expressed through athlete and fan response and the governing regulations for various sporting bodies. Additionally, the paper will examine the notion of “fair competition.” What makes something a fair competition, and how does this issue get complicated by the addition of transgender athletes?
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Sporting Cultures and Identities
KEYWORDS
Transgender, Gender, Fairness
Digital Media
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