The Women's World Cup Has Become a Battle Over Identity - Not Trans Athletes.
As the New York Post recently gave prominent space to Elizabeth Eddy, an Angel City FC player who advocates for banning trans athletes from women's soccer, it highlights the growing panic about trans players in professional leagues. The panic is unwarranted and misinformed, fueled by a misunderstanding of what inclusion means for female athletes.
While some argue that allowing trans athletes into women's sports could dilute its integrity, there is no evidence to suggest otherwise. In fact, multiple peer-reviewed studies have consistently shown that trans athletes do not possess biological advantages over cisgender athletes.
Moreover, the idea that trans athletes pose a threat to women's soccer leagues is based on a flawed assumption. The NWSL has developed a distinct identity and momentum in its 13th season, with increased viewership and commercial success. It would be shortsighted to believe that adding trans players would erode this momentum.
Eddy's piece cites the English FA's recent ban on transgender athletes from women's soccer as a model for how to protect women's sports. However, England's ban affects only 20 grassroots players out of 5.5 million registered athletes. The effect is similarly negligible in the US, with no trans players currently competing at the professional level.
The NWSL welcomed its 1,000th player this season, and only two of those were trans women who left the league due to a lack of support from the league's policies. The absence of out trans athletes does not mean that there is a pipeline of them waiting in the wings.
It also doesn't explain why online abuse has continued against female players, often based on racial stereotypes or perceived non-compliance with traditional gender norms. In some cases, it was due to the league's own policies and a lack of support for trans athletes.
In her op-ed, Eddy acknowledges that legislating bodies can be problematic but fails to recognize how her piece enables transphobic and racist targeting of female football players. The New York Post's decision to run the piece with a photo of Barbra Banda, an athlete of color who has faced online abuse, further fuels this harm.
The NWSLPA is grappling with more pressing issues such as working conditions for professionals, player care, and on-field performance. These concerns should take priority over a hypothetical threat from trans athletes that does not exist in reality.
Ultimately, the women's soccer world must move away from identity politics and toward inclusivity. The idea of excluding trans athletes from women's sports is not only misguided but also damaging to female players who already face racism and sexism. By embracing diversity and inclusion, we can build a more resilient and vibrant sport that benefits everyone involved.
As the New York Post recently gave prominent space to Elizabeth Eddy, an Angel City FC player who advocates for banning trans athletes from women's soccer, it highlights the growing panic about trans players in professional leagues. The panic is unwarranted and misinformed, fueled by a misunderstanding of what inclusion means for female athletes.
While some argue that allowing trans athletes into women's sports could dilute its integrity, there is no evidence to suggest otherwise. In fact, multiple peer-reviewed studies have consistently shown that trans athletes do not possess biological advantages over cisgender athletes.
Moreover, the idea that trans athletes pose a threat to women's soccer leagues is based on a flawed assumption. The NWSL has developed a distinct identity and momentum in its 13th season, with increased viewership and commercial success. It would be shortsighted to believe that adding trans players would erode this momentum.
Eddy's piece cites the English FA's recent ban on transgender athletes from women's soccer as a model for how to protect women's sports. However, England's ban affects only 20 grassroots players out of 5.5 million registered athletes. The effect is similarly negligible in the US, with no trans players currently competing at the professional level.
The NWSL welcomed its 1,000th player this season, and only two of those were trans women who left the league due to a lack of support from the league's policies. The absence of out trans athletes does not mean that there is a pipeline of them waiting in the wings.
It also doesn't explain why online abuse has continued against female players, often based on racial stereotypes or perceived non-compliance with traditional gender norms. In some cases, it was due to the league's own policies and a lack of support for trans athletes.
In her op-ed, Eddy acknowledges that legislating bodies can be problematic but fails to recognize how her piece enables transphobic and racist targeting of female football players. The New York Post's decision to run the piece with a photo of Barbra Banda, an athlete of color who has faced online abuse, further fuels this harm.
The NWSLPA is grappling with more pressing issues such as working conditions for professionals, player care, and on-field performance. These concerns should take priority over a hypothetical threat from trans athletes that does not exist in reality.
Ultimately, the women's soccer world must move away from identity politics and toward inclusivity. The idea of excluding trans athletes from women's sports is not only misguided but also damaging to female players who already face racism and sexism. By embracing diversity and inclusion, we can build a more resilient and vibrant sport that benefits everyone involved.
. I think it's crazy how some people are freaking out over trans athletes in women's soccer. Like, what's next? Are they gonna ban players with tattoos or something? 
But seriously, it's really sad that some female players are facing online abuse based on their color and gender presentation.
They'll still have to work hard and prove themselves.
We should be focusing on getting better working conditions, player care, and performance coaching rather than getting caught up in drama about who gets to compete. 
. I mean, it's just not making sense why some people are so hung up on this. Like, if trans athletes can compete in men's sports without any issues, why can't they do the same in women's sports? It's just a game, you know?
. Plus, have you seen the stats on how much trans athletes don't even get to compete in women's sports? Like, 20 grassroots players out of 5.5 million registered athletes? That's a tiny drop in the bucket 
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. That's not a problem that needs solving by banning trans athletes, it needs to be solved by addressing the actual issues of racism and sexism. The NWSLPA should be focusing on more pressing concerns, like player care and working conditions, instead of trying to stifle an entire community from participating in sports 
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. We need to move away from all this drama and toward inclusivity. It's the only way we're gonna build a more resilient and vibrant sport that benefits everyone 
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. The NWSLPA has bigger fish to fry 
- let's focus on worker rights & player care 
No biological advantages whatsoever! It's all about understanding what inclusion means for female athletes. We need to move away from identity politics and toward embracing diversity instead 
. It's not about diluting the integrity of women's sports, it's about being inclusive and welcoming to everyone 
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! Interesting how some people are still caught up in the idea of "protecting" women's sports by excluding trans athletes 
The fact that only 20 grassroots players out of 5.5 million registered athletes would be affected by England's ban is wild 
. And online abuse against female players based on racial stereotypes? That's just unacceptable