The discussion of how transgender athletes can compete in sports is an evolving conversation around the world, with the International Olympic Committee set to update its trans policy after the Beijing Winter Olympics.
It is also an evolving conversation at the university level. Three years ago, U Sports announced its policy governing trans student-athletes.
While the policy is still in effect today, advocates say there is room for improvement. Here’s everything you need to know about U Sports’ policy.
The policy
U Sports announced a policy in August 2018 allowing transgender student-athletes to compete under their birth sex or the gender they identify with, so long as they comply with the Canadian Anti-Doping Program (CADP).
The anti-doping regulation is standard for athletes in university sports and is not unique to trans students, but it does create potential issues. Testosterone is given to people transitioning from female to male, but the CADP and World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) prohibit athletes from using testosterone from an outside source.
However, former U Sports chief operating officer David Goldstein told University Affairs in January 2019 that decisions and appeals on drug tests would be handled by the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES). CCES can grant “therapeutic use exemptions” for prohibited substances.
The U Sports policy does not require an athlete to undergo hormone therapy to compete under their gender identity. It does limit student-athletes to competing under one gender in a given academic year.
Jennifer Brenning, Carleton’s assistant vice-president of recreation and athletics, wrote in an email to the Charlatan only one Carleton student has been barred from competing under CADP regulations in recent years and it was not due to testosterone or estrogen hormone therapy.
Zoey McShane, a trans bachelor of arts student at Carleton, said she is concerned about the potential restrictions on transitioning.
“I want trans athletes to feel safe transitioning while also competing because the peak time for athleticism is so small and the transition process is so big,” McShane said. “I just don’t want people to have to choose one or the other.”
McShane also said she would like to see U Sports advocate for trans student-athletes competing internationally. Competition at the World University Games and World University Championships is governed by the International University Sports Federation (FISU).
FISU’s trans policy is not publicly available and the federation did not respond to a request for comment in time for publication.
Trans inclusivity in Carleton Athletics
In addition to U Sports’ transgender policy, Carleton Athletics also has its own inclusion policy, which aims to “support and advocate for the inclusion of all players, regardless of gender identity and gender expression.”
The policy allows transgender patrons of Athletics to use the change rooms, showers and toilet facilities of the gender they identify with. Athletics also offers gender-neutral facilities.
The policy does recognize that varsity or club sports associations have their own policies on athlete eligibility and that “the department does not have control over governing body policies.”
Brenning said Carleton Athletics will continue to make changes promoting inclusivity within the university.
Educational workshops on inclusivity in sports will be held during the winter term for student-athletes, Brenning said. Athletics also has the Gender Equity and LGBTQ+ varsity council committee, launched in September 2020, which works on initiatives such as social media campaigns throughout the year.
“We are working to make our department more inclusive and welcoming and still have work to do,” Brenning said.
Featured graphic by Sara Mizannojehdehi.
