Joanna Marie Harper, a transgender professor at Western University, has expressed her opposition to the creation of an open category for transgender athletes, arguing that most would rather quit sports than compete in a category dominated by cisgender males. Harper was among several speakers at the recent “Play the Game” conference in Finland, where a panel explored the inclusion of transgender athletes in sport. During the panel, Harper argued that while there are some scientific and biological factors to consider, the proposed open category would essentially place trans women in a competitive environment with the majority of cisgender males, which she believes is an unfair dynamic for trans athletes to navigate.
Harper’s stance was countered by Jon Pike, a philosophy professor at The Open University in England, who argued that creating an open category would help ensure fairness for all athletes, regardless of gender identity. Pike emphasized the potential for biological differences between cisgender males and trans women to affect competition outcomes, and he suggested that an open category would allow for a more inclusive and equitable approach to athletic participation. However, Harper disagreed, asserting that the proposed category would not truly be open to all but would instead marginalize trans athletes while granting cisgender males the majority of influence in such competitions.
In the past, Harper has also spoken about the broader implications of transgender athletes in sports, particularly in relation to the data and experience she has observed. In a 2015 op-ed for The Washington Post, Harper discussed how hormone therapy and personal experiences had an impact on athletic performance. She pointed out that she saw a significant difference in her own performance when transitioning from male to female, finishing a 10K in 42:01, which was nearly five minutes slower than her previous times as a man.
Harper acknowledged that certain sports, such as sprinting and basketball, may see advantages for trans women due to their muscle mass and height. However, she also stated that there could be disadvantages in other sports, particularly in distance running and gymnastics, where the same factors could work against them. This nuanced perspective highlights her belief that while trans women can compete in women’s sports, the challenge lies in ensuring the competition remains fair and meaningful for all participants.
As the debate over transgender athletes in sports continues, it has become a highly polarizing issue in both the public and political spheres. Twenty-nine U.S. states have already implemented restrictions on transgender athletes competing in girls’ and women’s sports, and President Donald Trump signed an executive order in February that explicitly banned biological males from competing against biological females. These developments indicate that the topic remains a key point of contention in the broader discussion on gender inclusion in sports, with contrasting perspectives from both sides of the political spectrum.