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UCI world cyclocross championships under fire due to anti-trans laws in host state Arkansas

Cycling journalist Tara Seplavy has boycotted the event, saying she doesn’t “feel personally safe going to Arkansas right now as a visibly trans person”

As the world cyclocross championships come to a close this evening, the UCI’s decision to stage the event in Fayetteville, Arkansas has come under fire due to the state’s anti-trans legislation.

In April 2021, Arkansas became the first state to ban gender-affirming treatments and surgery for transgender youth. Later that month Brook Watts, a longstanding cyclocross promoter in the United States, resigned from his role as organiser of the Fayetteville world championships in protest against the new law. 

“The situation in Arkansas remains problematic and unfortunately, I don’t see any satisfactory resolution,” Watts said at the time. “I have sincerely but unsuccessfully attempted to work out my concerns and differences with constituents. However, regrettably, we were not successful”.

At the US national cyclocross championships in December, anti-trans activists representing a group called ‘Save Women’s Sport’ staged a protest, shouting and holding signs opposing transgender participation during the women’s race. 

USA Cycling was heavily criticised for not taking adequate action to prevent the protest taking place at the event in DuPage County, Illinois, with trans rights supporters saying that the governing body did not facilitate a safe and inclusive environment for all competitors and spectators.

> British Cycling launch consultation on transgender policy

Tara Seplavy, the deputy editor of Bicycling Magazine, referenced the protest in Illinois when she announced on social media yesterday that she was boycotting this weekend’s world championships.

“For several reasons I don’t feel personally safe going to Arkansas right now as a visibly trans person,” she wrote. “I also do not feel comfortable rewarding USA Cycling for its continued lack of action or follow-up for allowing a hate group to attend US national championship events to harass athletes. I am not even sure if I will tune in to watch the races online at this point to be frank.

“The ship sailed moons ago on any type of boycott or direct action of the event. Instead of attending Worlds, I urge friends and followers to donate to organizations fighting against hate legislation in the state, doing work for the queer community in the region, or advocating for the rights of trans athletes in cycling.”

After obtaining a PhD, lecturing, and hosting a history podcast at Queen’s University Belfast, Ryan joined road.cc in December 2021 and since then has kept the site’s readers and listeners informed and enthralled (well at least occasionally) on news, the live blog, and the road.cc Podcast. After boarding a wrong bus at the world championships and ruining a good pair of jeans at the cyclocross, he now serves as road.cc’s senior news writer. Before his foray into cycling journalism, he wallowed in the equally pitiless world of academia, where he wrote a book about Victorian politics and droned on about cycling and bikes to classes of bored students (while taking every chance he could get to talk about cycling in print or on the radio). He can be found riding his bike very slowly around the narrow, scenic country lanes of Co. Down.

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299 comments

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Simon_MacMichael | 2 years ago
5 likes

Thanks for all your comments. Please note this thread is now closed.

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brooksby | 2 years ago
0 likes

Oh.  My.  God. 

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brooksby replied to brooksby | 2 years ago
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Seriously.  Oh my god.

Dear road.cc admins - any chance you could just silo this off so the main players on here can just fight among themselves?

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hawkinspeter replied to brooksby | 2 years ago
1 like

brooksby wrote:

Seriously.  Oh my god.

Dear road.cc admins - any chance you could just silo this off so the main players on here can just fight among themselves?

Thunderdome?

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mdavidford replied to brooksby | 2 years ago
2 likes

They definitely need to step in and do something. A line has been crossed when the Flying Spaghetti Monster's name is being taken in vain.

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chrisonabike | 2 years ago
3 likes

What was that Jacques Derrida quote along the lines of "You can choose to define something but all other definitions remain in play"? (Not going to look it up, I'm no scholar of the canon and not even keen - more of a Jacques derider).

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nosferatu1001 replied to chrisonabike | 2 years ago
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That...was quite the pun. Bravo. 

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chrisonabike | 2 years ago
5 likes

For anyone discovering this thread in 2023 tell our loved ones this is as far as we got:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBOj8YxV-hg

 

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Captain Badger replied to chrisonabike | 2 years ago
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chrisonatrike wrote:

For anyone discovering this thread in 2023 tell our loved ones this is as far as we got:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBOj8YxV-hg

 

i take exception to that....

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chrisonabike replied to Captain Badger | 2 years ago
2 likes

Quite right, I take that back. Optimistic outlook, allow more time.  It'll be spring before you know it!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZqh-javSXE

 

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sparrowlegs | 2 years ago
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Wow. This has gone in a different direction since I last looked.

I originally posted to show that people that have had prolonged exposure to testosterone have a huge advantage over those that haven't. This cannot be doubted. Whilst testosterone levels don't necassarily mean the highest will be best, it does mean that there is definitely going to be a distinction.

All I wanted to highlight is the unfairness when it came to sports and sports only. My own experience with testosterone usage and the various levels of it that I've been exposed to have shown me just how powerful it can be when it comes to the bodies growth from and reaction to exercise.

My intention was not to cause offence or demean anyone, be they trans or not. I've found the following on a website and I'd like feedback as it seems, in my opinion, that it looks at this issue fairly. 

https://theconversation.com/striking-a-balance-between-fairness-in-compe...

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nosferatu1001 replied to sparrowlegs | 2 years ago
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I think the "fault" lies in trying to maintain a binary split for no other reason than we've always had one (for a sufficient value of "always")

lit was a crude measure back when women were just banned from competing in toto and it's hopefully obvious to all it's an increasingly unworkable idea going forwards. 
 

As ever, define the problem you seek a solution for first,  then deign your solution. Trying to tinker around with a broken system leaves you with a broken system

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sparrowlegs replied to nosferatu1001 | 2 years ago
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You don't think trans women may or more likely will have an advantage over non trans women?

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nosferatu1001 replied to sparrowlegs | 2 years ago
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sparrowlegs wrote:

You don't think trans women may or more likely will have an advantage over non trans women?

I don't think you understand what I posted.

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sparrowlegs replied to nosferatu1001 | 2 years ago
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I understood perfectly, then replied with another question. You're blaming the "system" for us being where we are now.

So I'll ask again, do you think trans women have an advantage over non trans women when it comes to sports?

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nosferatu1001 replied to sparrowlegs | 2 years ago
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sparrowlegs wrote:

I understood perfectly, then replied with another question. You're blaming the "system" for us being where we are now.

So I'll ask again, do you think trans women have an advantage over non trans women when it comes to sports?

I don't think that question has any relevance compared to what I posted, which is why it seemed like you didn't understand.  It's like saying "I like oranges" and your response is to ask "but what about carrots?"; there's a disconnect  

It is also the usual reductionist 2 dimensional nonsense of a question that doesn't help advance the discussion. You have the same issue as rich, of lacking any nuance. 
 

I do wonder why you're restarting this, claiming yiu didn't offend, but if memory recalls you did the usual tripe of "but trans women don't have cervices" which I'm sure, as ever, by reducing women to a mere body part must be greatly received...

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nosferatu1001 replied to nosferatu1001 | 2 years ago
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Ah yes, here's your "gem" from page 7 or so.  Say again how you weren't here meaning to offend...

sparrowlegs wrote:

I've gone away, done a bit of research, or, at least tried to but bloody Google must be broken or something. I'm hoping you can help me out here. 

I googled "how many transgender women have had cervical cancer". 

Stupid Google kept bringing back results for transgender women having testicular cancer and prostate cancer. I'm like, FFS Google! That's not what I asked!!!

I think Google is broken. That's the only option surely?

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sparrowlegs replied to nosferatu1001 | 2 years ago
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So basically you won't answer it?

You'll deflect and dodge but basically will not answer if trans women should compete directly with non trans women?

You'll use pretty words to talk about nuances and gradations but you won't answer the direct question posed to you?

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nosferatu1001 replied to sparrowlegs | 2 years ago
1 like

sparrowlegs wrote:

So basically you won't answer it?

You'll deflect and dodge but basically will not answer if trans women should compete directly with non trans women?

You'll use pretty words to talk about nuances and gradations but you won't answer the direct question posed to you?

see my answer abive about your common problem you share with Rich

bye. 

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sparrowlegs replied to nosferatu1001 | 2 years ago
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So that's a no then? You won't answer the simple and direct question? Do you think trans women should be competing directly with non trans women?

If you refuse to answer then I think we are done here. 

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nosferatu1001 replied to sparrowlegs | 2 years ago
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Indeed, it seems you are done. 

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sparrowlegs replied to nosferatu1001 | 2 years ago
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Don't want to answer the question but want to have the last word yeah?

Or, maybe you do want to answer the question, do you think trans women should compete directly against non trans women?

I think that's 4 times I've asked you and you still haven't answered it. 

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nosferatu1001 replied to sparrowlegs | 2 years ago
1 like

"I don't think that question has any relevance compared to what I posted, which is why it seemed like you didn't understand.  It's like saying "I like oranges" and your response is to ask "but what about carrots?"; there's a disconnect  

It is also the usual reductionist 2 dimensional nonsense of a question that doesn't help advance the discussion. You have the same issue as rich, of lacking any nuance. "

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Jimwill replied to sparrowlegs | 2 years ago
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Not so long ago, I read a that a study by the American military showed that even years after gender realignment, trans female soldiers still showed to be much faster and stronger then their colleagues who were born in a female body

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chrisonabike replied to Jimwill | 2 years ago
2 likes

Jimwill wrote:

Not so long ago, I read a that a study by the American military showed that even years after gender realignment, trans female soldiers still showed to be much faster and stronger then their colleagues who were born in a female body

Strava or it didn't happen...

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sparrowlegs replied to Jimwill | 2 years ago
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Oh FFS, you've done it now. Said something without showing receipts. Even if you do provide links to proven studies that once puberty has happened nothing can erase that, it doesn't matter because again, it doesn't fit their narrative.

Go on, post a link to Leah Thomas destroying the non-trans women in a swimming race. It won't matter.

Even quoting Caitlyn Jenner got me nowhere because she's not the right type of trans woman apparently.

I've been called bigot, anti-trans, TERF and genital fetishist. That was a new one but I'm sure I'd seen it somewhere else and then it occurred to me...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-57853385.amp

You can say you agree with trans people having the same rights as the gender they identify as in every way except sports but that's not good enough. 

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Jimwill replied to sparrowlegs | 2 years ago
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If people are that bothered its a Google away. Bloke who wrote was called Roberts I believe and it was a study including 49 trans Airforce personnel, after 2 years, they were still 12% faster in a mile and half run.
And I think It was referenced in a article about the swimmer. I would have saved the link if only I'd known how important it was at the time..

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nosferatu1001 replied to sparrowlegs | 2 years ago
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And you can also point to the trans wrestler who then didn't go on to win everything as a counter point 

I never said she wasn't the "right type of trans woman", as you well know. That's another example of your argument in bad faith,  I stated that she only stated that position *once she announced her running as a republican candidate, and the GOP is abusing trans people in sports right now as a dog whistle for ignorant voters, because gay bashing isn't working for them any more*. Prior to that she was publicly pro trans people in sport. 
 

hey, yiure the one who narrowed down "woman" to "has a cervix", which is a really gross way to demean a gender. So I'd say bigot is a pretty clear one. 
 

yes, because "seperate but equal" is totally fine with you, as we al know. It's ok to diminish ALL of one of the most marginalised groups in society - a fact you don't care about, clearly - as "colllective punishment" because some of them may want to compete in sport and may be better in some way that is "unfair", yet yiu also seem totally ok with using "science" to keep Caster Semenya from competing as she, despite being a cis woman, has an unfair advantage for her sport. 
 

The alternative is to look at *why* we have a crude binary split - mostly historic - and therefore what are we trying to achieve. That would be an enlightened, progressive way of doing things, but of course, change is bad, apparently... 

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sparrowlegs replied to nosferatu1001 | 2 years ago
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What wrestler is this? Can you find me a link or references? You should know by now we don't just accept anecdotal evidence in this thread so cough up.

You dismissed Caitlyn's view because of her political affiliations. Show me when she agreed with trans women competing against non trans women in sport and when she changed this view. 

Also, Caster Semenya is intersex. She possesses the means to produce testosterone way above those of a non trans woman because she has testes. Again, this just highlights the fact that anyone who has or has had access to testosterone will more than likely be at an advantage when it comes to competing against non trans women. See the results of the 2016 Olympic Womens 800m. All the medal winners are intersex. 

I used the example of someone having a cervix to highlight that it's more than likely a trans woman will not have one. There are many physiological and biological differences between trans women and non trans women.

You have not produced one iota of evidence that disproves the stance that a trans woman will have a physical advantage advantage over a non trans woman when it comes to the sporting arena. Instead, you've resorted to name calling and saying "seperate but equal" when "equal but different" would be a better way of describing things. You use nuanced language to trap people and hopefully intimidate them in to silence.

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nosferatu1001 replied to sparrowlegs | 2 years ago
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Your demands are hilarious. 
 

Caitlyn - https://www.newsweek.com/caitlyn-jenner-flips-transgender-sports-issue-w.... Took two seconds. You don't do ANY research, do you?  Oddly enough, as someone who cares about trans rights, I've followed her story for a fair while. 
6 years earlier she said  “I also want to acknowledge all the young trans athletes who are out there — given the chance to play sports as who they really are.” So while you cannot prove the two are linked, it is factual that

- the gop is anti trans,

- she ran as. GOP candidate 

- she changed her public stance on trans inclusion after announcing she was running 

Caster is a cis-woman. 
no, you didn't "use the example of"...  the quote is above. You used a crude attempt at humour to try to define some through possession of a cervix. Don't try to row back your bigotry now, that's now how this works. You could apologise, but that isn't going to happen...

stil waiting on your definition of a biological woman. It's been quite a few days now - have you found one yet? You keep referring to but failing to actually, you know, do.  I wonder why that is.  
 

You also fail to understand. Again. I don't have to disprove your contention because your contention isn't relevant. It's based on outmoded crude ideas of a binary split that it's increasingly obvious to everyone just aren't sufficient for the society we live in 

 

here's an analogy you might understand - SI units. The metre is defined according to an (as far as we know) unchanging physical constant. We've taken what was an approximation (the original metre was essentially an average of other measures, so yiu had multiple metres at one point, same as yiu had multiple inches etc) and defined it. We've used science to work out something

 

We can do the same with divisions in sport. Same as we have a crude weight classification for boxing we can do the same for all sports where we have a binary split. I, not saying it will be easy, and it might throw up some uncomfortable facts, such as "fairness" in sport being completely illusory (as was pointed out by badger, repeatedly, and you ignored) but it would be a start

So yiure comfy saying "you are a woman except here, where you're not a woman" to someone who is trans? That is absolutely NOT equal.  

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