Law Alberta vs Figure Skating: A Pointless Gender Battle

[EndlessCritic]

For those unaware, Alberta is a relatively conservative province in Canada. Its current premier, Danielle Smith, has not been shy about enacting legislation which some groups have called anti-trans.

Recently, Alberta passed legislation prohibiting transwomen from competing in amateur sport, pursuant to its Alberta’s Fairness and Safety in Sport Act.

In response, Skate Canada is now boycotting Alberta, and is refusing to hold any figure skating events there at all.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/skate-canada-events-alberta-transgender-9.7018092

The absurdity of it all is laughable. Does anybody actually think biological men have a massive advantage over biological women in figure skating? Men's and women's figure skating are practically different sports, and are scored completely differently.

Personally, I think government should be staying out of this fight, and let the sport bodies decide for themselves who they want to include or exclude based on input from their stakeholders. And if there was ever a sport where we should allow transwomen to compete with women, figure skating is probably one where we should err on the side of inclusion.

 

[HereticBD]

The absurdity of it all is laughable. Does anybody actually think biological men have a massive advantage over biological women in figure skating?

Somewhat. Like in anything related to athletics, their genetic advantage makes it easier for them to pull off difficult moves.

That said, it's a judged sport more about a artistic expression, than anything. I don't know how big of a deal it would be, but I'd wager if men were allowed in the women's competitions, they'd win more often than not by pulling out those crazy moves more regularly.

 

[Siver!]

I'm happy that trans athletes have had the floor for some time and have failed to convince sports bodies that they do not, in fact, have an advantage.

At this point, I'd be against trans women competing in any women's sport - however, some sports can allow women to compete against men should they be good enough.

If they wish to compete as a women against men, allow it.

 

[Soggust]

The absurdity of it all is laughable. Does anybody actually think biological men have a massive advantage over biological women in figure skating?

I do, lol.

Men generate more power for jumps which score big. My sister was an ice skater for years and I played hockey growing up. I do think there is an inherent advantage for men in ice skating at the upper levels.

Love trannies, but personal ideology shouldn't drive public policy imo /shrug. That said, I like the organization coming to the correct decision more than the government mandating, but this is also Canada not America.

 

[lsa]

isn't figure skating gay enough already?

 

[BoomStronk]

I'm sure biologically male bodies are probably better at figure skating. The explosive, high altitude spinning and stuff.

I've heard that biological female bodies might be better at extreme distance running, but beyond this edge case, I'm quite sure males have an advantage in any sport.

Maybe certain aspects of gymnastics because of flexibility?

 

[EndlessCritic]

I do, lol.

Men generate more power for jumps which score big. My sister was an ice skater for years and I played hockey growing up. I do think there is an inherent advantage for men in ice skating at the upper levels.

Love trannies, but personal ideology shouldn't drive public policy imo /shrug. That said, I like the organization coming to the correct decision more than the government mandating, but this is also Canada not America.

Yes, but that's why men and women's figure skating are scored completely differently.

Men's figure skating rewards the big jumps with more points. Women's figure skating puts less emphasis on big jumps for scoring purposes.

 

[Soggust]

Yes, but that's why men and women's figure skating are scored completely differently.

Men's figure skating rewards the big jumps with more points. Women's figure skating puts less emphasis on big jumps for scoring purposes.

But even if quads are discouraged or even banned, the GOE and PCS scores are higher for men because they are able to execute easier with more height, speed, rotation, etc.

Like, sure we can cap jumps etc, but I think the advantage just shifts from difficulty to execution, if that makes sense.

 

[Stoic1]

Slippery slope can turn into a damn roller coaster. Best not to give an inch to these mentally ill impersonators.

 

[philcrow]

Guys with surgeries are still guys. I agree it should be a non issue because the court should take 5 seconds to rule. We already have a men's division, so join the men's division and stop forcing your delusion on everyone else.

How misogynistic do you have to be to want to take women's sports from them?

 

[syct23]

Guys with surgeries are still guys. I agree it should be a non issue because the court should take 5 seconds to rule. We already have a men's division, so join the men's division and stop forcing your delusion on everyone else.

How misogynistic do you have to be to want to take women's sports from them?

Calm down!

If we can take a woman’s right to kill their own babies away. Taking a fake sport away, that we gave them, ain’t no thang..

 

[Rygu]

For those unaware, Alberta is a relatively conservative province in Canada. Its current premier, Danielle Smith, has not been shy about enacting legislation which some groups have called anti-trans.

Recently, Alberta passed legislation prohibiting transwomen from competing in amateur sport, pursuant to its Alberta’s Fairness and Safety in Sport Act.

In response, Skate Canada is now boycotting Alberta, and is refusing to hold any figure skating events there at all.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/skate-canada-events-alberta-transgender-9.7018092

The absurdity of it all is laughable. Does anybody actually think biological men have a massive advantage over biological women in figure skating? Men's and women's figure skating are practically different sports, and are scored completely differently.

Personally, I think government should be staying out of this fight, and let the sport bodies decide for themselves who they want to include or exclude based on input from their stakeholders. And if there was ever a sport where we should allow transwomen to compete with women, figure skating is probably one where we should err on the side of inclusion.

Men land quads, women don't/can't.

Yes, there is a difference.

 

[Sweater of AV]

Does anybody actually think biological men have a massive advantage over biological women in figure skating?

Uh, yes.

And if there was ever a sport where we should allow transwomen to compete with women, figure skating is probably one where we should err on the side of inclusion.

 

[oldshadow]

There shouldn't be any men allowed in women's sports, among other things they shouldn't be allowed in.

 

[TUFNewb]

Does anybody actually think biological men have a massive advantage over biological women in figure skating? Men's and women's figure skating are practically different sports, and are scored completely differently.

Everyone does. Wtf?

It doesn't matter though. Here biological men go in one division, biological women go in another. The remaining <1% and anyone else who doesn't like it are free to move to another province.

 

[Andy Capp]

I'm happy that trans athletes have had the floor for some time and have failed to convince sports bodies that they do not, in fact, have an advantage.

At this point, I'd be against trans women competing in any women's sport - however, some sports can allow women to compete against men should they be good enough.

If they wish to compete as a women against men, allow it.

It's figure skating, man. Have you ever watched pairs skating? Or even both men's and women's events one after the other? The difference between what men and women are capable of in terms of flexibilty shows plainly why women have the advantage in terms of the way perfomances are scored in women's events. A trans women has no advantage in women's individual competition by carrying the extra muscle bulk, lower body fat, and lesser flexibility. Ditto gymnsatics.

I agree with TS. Each sport's governing bodies should be making these kinds of decisions. Sometimes it matters; sometimes it doesn't. Weight lifting, sure--tell them to compete with the men. Diving, who gives a fuck?

 

[Andy Capp]

I'm happy that trans athletes have had the floor for some time and have failed to convince sports bodies that they do not, in fact, have an advantage.

At this point, I'd be against trans women competing in any women's sport - however, some sports can allow women to compete against men should they be good enough.

If they wish to compete as a women against men, allow it.

Further to the above, I'm unhappy that the issue of trans people in sport is being used to condemn them more generally--like, how dare these people even try this..., and use this tiny fraction of an already tiny fraction of the population to tar them and those that view them favorably as stains on society in general. But that is exactly the goal of this government intervention.

 

[Siver!]

Further to the above, I'm unhappy that the issue of trans people in sport is being used to condemn them more generally--like, how dare these people even try this..., and use this tiny fraction of an already tiny fraction of the population to tar them and those that view them favorably as stains on society in general. But that is exactly the goal of this government intervention.

I have the same concerns, and am keen to put the "trans in sports" issue to bed with some clear rules - partly so the nutcases who are obsessed with trans people have to back down a bit.

Maybe it's not a perfectly correct reason to put a blanket law on all sports, but I think we do need a blanket law on sports and I don't think it's as cruel as some seem to think, either.

 

[chardog]

it's not pointless, it's precedence.