It was a surprise to see the top female disc golfer in the world participate in a local event in Alabama in January on a course she didn't play before the event and after one round was one shot behind someone whom I never heard of before but could tell was a real good player. Later that day found out the person transitioned a few years before and in an interview following round two, the top player in the world who was able to play better in round two and win by four shots stated she made the trip to play there in support of the transitioned player whose entry caused multiple other female pro players to withdraw from the event or change divisions.
Shortly before the Disc Golf Pro Tour series began, the Professional Disc Golf Association stated they are following the international sports guidelines for determining eligibility of transitioned female players and reading those guidelines realized no one could just "declare themselves female" and compete in divisions restricted to them. There were some replies to the statement disagreeing with the PDGA stating the M in divisions stands for mixed and that is where transitioned players belong.
The transitioned player has competed in two DGPT events finishing 41st out of 48 in an elite series one and 21st out of 38th (one shot short of cashing) in a silver series event.
Last Sunday had a situation where I could not form an accurate and immediate response. Someone who has likely watched as much women's sports as I do was exceptionally upset about the number of transitioned athletes winning local and high school events around the US. Due to the circumstances involved did not want to create a scene and knowing I can write better than I speak, leaving the response here:
It is logical to believe the difference between men's and women's athletic ability is related to the difference in the reproductive organs and that should be the only factor in determining eligibility for female restricted sport events.
It is also unfair for anyone to misrepresent themselves or their ability in order to participate in an event they would otherwise be ineligible.
I admit that I am not an expert in genetics or biology and don't understand the findings or explanation of how a person born male can be declared medically eligible to play as a female. However, similar to those who deal with infectious disease, it makes sense to trust the opinions and findings made by those who are considered experts in their field.
Unlike how it has been depicted in movies and on TV, people don't transition so they can win a specific event but because that is who they believe they are. I also hope those athletes have followed the guidelines set and are medically eligible to participate.
Also the idea of declaring a separate division for trans people is ignorant nonsense and the word you were trying to find to describe divisions exclusively for those with female reproductive organs would be "breeders".
