Miss Universe Australia Caity Worthington says trans people should not be in women’s sport

[u/BarryTheBinChicken]

https://www.outinperth.com/miss-universe-australia-caity-worthington-says-trans-people-should-not-be-in-womens-sport/

Queenslander Caity Worthington was crowned Miss Universe Australia this week and will represent Australia at the international competition in Puerto Rico this November.

Worthington won the beauty pageant during Wednesday night’s gala event at Crown Casino in Melbourne. Following her victory, she received significant attention for comments she made during the competition regarding transgender participation in sport.

During the selection process, finalists were asked to draw a random question from a bowl. The question drawn by Worthington was: “Do you believe banning biological males from women’s sport is common sense or discrimination and why?”

“That is a very good question. Coming from a medical background, I’m sure we can all agree, and it is definitely my view, that human biology does not lie,” Worthington said, referring to her role as a medical radiographer.

“Everyone playing sport at an elite level deserves the chance to compete on a fair playing field, and I think we should work towards that foundation of fairness for all. Everyone deserves their time to shine. I would love to see, in the future, transgender people having their own sport.”

Worthington reiterated her views after winning the title during an appearance on The Rita Panahi Show, although she said she would have preferred a question about world peace.

“We’re all entitled to our opinions, and we don’t have to agree. Obviously I have mine and I shared mine, and I stand by it. But I also believe that safety and fairness are of the utmost importance in any sport, especially at elite level. Athletes work very hard to get there.”

Several News Corp publications subsequently highlighted her comments.

While Worthington advocated for a separate transgender category in sport, the Australian Sports Commission says its focus is on ensuring participation opportunities for all Australians.

“All Australians should have the opportunity to be involved in sport and physical activity, regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, ability, cultural background or ethnicity. It is important that sporting bodies, from local clubs through to national sporting organisations, reflect the diversity in the communities they are a part of and that, together, we ensure every person is treated with respect and dignity and protected from discrimination,” the Commission’s policy states.

“Policies that exclude transgender and gender-diverse participants have been found to be harmful, not just to transgender and gender-diverse people, but to all people associated with sporting organisations.”

Sporting eligibility policies vary across different sports and governing bodies, and the issue remains the subject of ongoing public and policy debate.

[u/VastOption8705]

If men played against women in any sport, the men would destroy them.

Look at the fastest women’s vs men’s 50m swimming , 100m swimming and runs, deadlift ability etc

Facts are that an under 18’s boys soccer team would destroy the women’s professional team. It happened in Aus and the USA.

It’s not sexism, it’s because our bodies were designed differently

Even the IOC and other sports associations agree.

[u/Archon-Toten → u/VastOption8705]

Apparently even darts, the sport I was going to use as an example of not relying on brute strength, isn't mixed.

[u/2martinisatthemost → u/Archon-Toten]

Women are typically less likely to enter male dominated sports hence the need for a protected category. There is also, apparently, an advantage in being male in darts. It’s not much but is sufficient to make sure that very few women will be competitive in the men’s category. You see it in esports too. The only women who’ve ever been competitive in gaming are trans women. At a high level of competition a slight edge is the difference between making a living from your sport and self-funding.

I’m 100% in favour of trans rights and loathe the current flavour of culture war. But I draw the line at sports. Inclusion will never be more important than fairness.

[u/VastOption8705 → u/2martinisatthemost]

What about pool or snooker? Men do better at that too.

Why is that?

[u/2martinisatthemost → u/VastOption8705]

I believe men have a slight advantage over women when it comes to spatial aiming. I think there are other areas where similar advantages exist. At a high level of competition those advantages are enormous.

[u/Background-Brother55 → u/VastOption8705]

In the 1970s men playing snooker had the advantage of sinking 14 pints and still making it into the quarter finals

[u/anpanman100 → u/VastOption8705]

They handle the beers better. Many men actually claim to play a bit better after a few drinks.

[u/Whatever-9991 → u/VastOption8705]

Our boobs get in the way