World Rugby statement: "It was concluded that safety and fairness cannot presently be assured for women competing against transwomen in contact rugby."
Saturday 10 October 2020 13:54, UK
World Rugby has recommended that transgender women do not play elite women's rugby following a review.
New guidelines have been drawn up to cover the participation of transgender athletes in men's and women's contact rugby where it is possible to do so safely and fairly.
As a result, transgender men are permitted to participate in men's contact rugby but the same does not apply to transgender women in women's rugby.
"Given the best available evidence for the effects of testosterone reduction on these physical attributes for transgender women, it was concluded that safety and fairness cannot presently be assured for women competing against transwomen in contact rugby," said a World Rugby statement.
"As a result, the new guidelines do not recommend that transwomen play women's contact rugby on safety grounds at the elite and international level of the game where size, strength, power and speed are crucial for both risk and performance, but do not preclude national unions from flexibility in their application of the guidelines at the community level of the game.
"Transmen are permitted to participate in men's contact rugby."
British Cycling has also published its first policy on transgender and non-binary participation in cycling.
In terms of competitive events, any transgender or non-binary member seeking to compete in the female category has to submit a signed declaration - which cannot be changed for sporting purposes for a minimum of four years - that their gender identity is female and an attestation from a medical professional that the member's total testosterone level in serum has been below 5 nmol/L for at least 12 months prior to the member's first competition.
Any applicant for the male racing category will not be required to provide medical evidence but will have to produce a declaration - which also cannot be changed for four years - that the member's gender identity is male.
Stonewall, an organisation that campaigns for the equality of lesbian, gay, bi and trans people in Britain and abroad, said it was "deeply disappointed" by World Rugby's decision, adding that "it is vital that policies expand rather than restrict any sport's potential to grow and benefit all our communities".
Nancy Kelley, Stonewall's chief executive, said: "We are deeply disappointed by World Rugby's decision to move ahead with their proposal to stop most trans women from playing in competitions they govern.
"The proposals were based on hypothetical data modelling that has little relevance to the questions of fairness and safety in rugby that the policy review sought to address. Important policies like this should be based on robust, relevant evidence and work closely with trans people playing in the sport.
"Individual rugby unions across the world determine their own policies on trans inclusion at a domestic level, and in recent weeks the Canadian, US and Australian Rugby Unions have come out strongly in support of trans inclusion.
"These rugby authorities understand that inclusion should be at the heart of the sport they love, and inclusion is vital to sustain rugby. Younger generations want to take part in sports where everyone is welcome. They have a choice.
"While the World Rugby guidelines affect much international competition, it's vital that rugby unions across the world follow the lead of Australia, Canada and the US and ensure that all trans people in the rugby community are supported and welcome taking part in the game they love.
"There is still a lot to learn about the impact of transition on athletic ability, but this does not mean that trans people are not already playing rugby or any other sport safely and fairly. As the world continues to evolve, it is vital that policies expand rather than restrict any sport's potential to grow and benefit all our communities.
"We stand in solidarity with trans people across the world who'll be disappointed by this news. We will do everything we can to make sport everyone's game."
