Historic Golf Club Could Admit Women
A major Scottish golf club is close to allowing women to become members. But the move has some surprising opponents: women.
Sex-Hormone Guidelines For Athletes Will Never Be Fair
An international sporting body has issued new guidelines concerning hormone levels and who can compete as a woman. The new rules could resolve some of the questions raised in the wake of the Caster Semenya scandal, but they may also create problems of their own.
Female Sports Fans And The Men Who Judge Them
This week was FULL of stories about female sports fans — an article on which jerseys are top sellers among women, a Times piece on women watching football, and a series on the so-called "challenges that face female sports fans."
LPGA To Let Trans Golfers Compete
], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--JDHuU2Az--/c_fill,g_north,h_358,w_636/18rcpfwhju9t9jpg.jpg, (small)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--eHUmw3Ub--/c_fill,g_north,h_180,w_320/18rcpfwhju9t9jpg.jpg, (medium)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--oxBQ4sE4--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_77,q_80,w_137/18rcpfwhju9t9jpg.jpg, (large)])
In response to a lawsuit by transfemale golfer Lana Lawless, the LPGA has voted to remove the "female at birth" requirement from its constitution. This means Lawless and other trans golfers should now have the right to play.
Soccer Team Accused Of "Gender Cheating"
], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--Qif18Tmj--/c_fill,g_north,h_358,w_636/18j1n33n31i2ljpg.jpg, (small)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--rjFQKZG5--/c_fill,g_north,h_180,w_320/18j1n33n31i2ljpg.jpg, (medium)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--flPoVSZl--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_77,q_80,w_137/18j1n33n31i2ljpg.jpg, (large)])
In a case reminiscent of the Caster Semenya scandal, opposing teams are accusing the Equatorial Guinea women's soccer team of including male players.
The NCAA's First Openly Trans Basketball Player
], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--q5SrWlIq--/c_fill,g_north,h_358,w_636/18j1v6ekjj189jpg.jpg, (small)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--rv57L9Vu--/c_fill,g_north,h_180,w_320/18j1v6ekjj189jpg.jpg, (medium)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--kcbOhukZ--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_77,q_80,w_137/18j1v6ekjj189jpg.jpg, (large)])
Kye Allums is about to become the first openly trans person to play NCAA Division 1 basketball. And while his life hasn't always been easy, a lot of people could learn from his story.
Transgender Golfer Sues LPGA For Right To Compete
], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--e2vnz-SM--/c_fill,g_north,h_358,w_636/18eqv6o5vvc7njpg.jpg, (small)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--bRJ_EvSF--/c_fill,g_north,h_180,w_320/18eqv6o5vvc7njpg.jpg, (medium)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--4wHZO0eq--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_77,q_80,w_137/18eqv6o5vvc7njpg.jpg, (large)])
A transgender golfer was excluded from competition when organizers changed the rules to allow only athletes who were "female at birth." Now she's suing.
Making Sports Fair For Transgender Athletes
], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--U619n_3h--/c_fill,g_north,h_358,w_636/18eqvm4kf7u10jpg.jpg, (small)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--Cqd0MLG1--/c_fill,g_north,h_180,w_320/18eqvm4kf7u10jpg.jpg, (medium)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--cUvmBjrI--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_77,q_80,w_137/18eqvm4kf7u10jpg.jpg, (large)])
A new report says the number of transgender high school and college athletes is growing — and it's time for schools, teams, and regulations to catch up.
Foolish Xbox Folk Assume All Gamers Are Boys
], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s---wS_LPBW--/c_fill,g_north,h_358,w_636/18j4gjzhz3hvtjpg.jpg, (small)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--a6SUQVLH--/c_fill,g_north,h_180,w_320/18j4gjzhz3hvtjpg.jpg, (medium)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--KOCawgHs--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_77,q_80,w_137/18j4gjzhz3hvtjpg.jpg, (large)])
When a blogger contacted Xbox Support about her account, she got a form letter with tips — for her son. But if Xbox assumes that all gamers are boys, it may be missing out on a growing market.
Semenya To Compete Again
], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--jIK13N5D--/c_fill,g_north,h_358,w_636/18erd015kxclrjpg.jpg, (small)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--iG45RWW2--/c_fill,g_north,h_180,w_320/18erd015kxclrjpg.jpg, (medium)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--nk2yJ4Ff--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_77,q_80,w_137/18erd015kxclrjpg.jpg, (large)])
Both the IAAF and Athletics South Africa have said Caster Semenya will be allowed to return to competition. Her coach says she will run in local events before returning to the international stage. [BBC]
Notes On A Scandal: The Future Of Intersexuality & Caster Semenya
], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--iWLIhonD--/c_fill,g_north,h_358,w_636/18erg7mdjzscxjpg.jpg, (small)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--z_4frAta--/c_fill,g_north,h_180,w_320/18erg7mdjzscxjpg.jpg, (medium)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--o5_wE0Qd--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_77,q_80,w_137/18erg7mdjzscxjpg.jpg, (large)])
Thoughtful articles by Ariel Levy and Judith Butler explore the larger issues of sex and gender behind Caster Semenya's story — and how the mishandling of the young athlete's "gender testing" has affected her life.
Too Little, Too Late: Semenya's Gender Test Results Won't Be Made Public
], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--X2T3KFLG--/c_fill,g_north,h_358,w_636/18erghdl4b528jpg.jpg, (small)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--_8zXdKdL--/c_fill,g_north,h_180,w_320/18erghdl4b528jpg.jpg, (medium)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--M0YRHCSU--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_77,q_80,w_137/18erghdl4b528jpg.jpg, (large)])
In a reversal, the IAAF says it will not be releasing the results of Caster Semenya's gender tests. And, according to a statement by the South Africa sports ministry, Semenya will keep her medal and prize money.
South African Olympics Official Suspended Over Semenya Case
], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--eUGNStvH--/c_fill,g_north,h_358,w_636/18erhife72h47jpg.jpg, (small)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--fB9CBmGH--/c_fill,g_north,h_180,w_320/18erhife72h47jpg.jpg, (medium)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--2yQDXdBX--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_77,q_80,w_137/18erhife72h47jpg.jpg, (large)])
South Africa's Olympic governing body has suspended Athletics South Africa President Leonard Chuene, who admitted he lied about Caster Semenya being gender tested to protect her. The ASA has apologized to Semenya for the handling of her gender verification. [BBC]
Who Needs Neuroscience When You've Got Trivial Pursuit?
], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--1rvbqbHr--/c_fill,g_north,h_358,w_636/18eridg5iu40sjpg.jpg, (small)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--hATuiVH_--/c_fill,g_north,h_180,w_320/18eridg5iu40sjpg.jpg, (medium)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--RfsvLFqA--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_77,q_80,w_137/18eridg5iu40sjpg.jpg, (large)])
Hasbro has devised an online, boys-against-girls Trivial Pursuit game "to see if trivia can answer the age-old question:" who's smarter, men or women? We're sure questions about golf and seventies TV shows will resolve this issue for good. [Daily Mail]
Gender-Test Trauma Affects Semenya's Schoolwork
], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--CO-VhbCY--/c_fill,g_north,h_358,w_636/18erizp83w2sbjpg.jpg, (small)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--kHcoMzQX--/c_fill,g_north,h_180,w_320/18erizp83w2sbjpg.jpg, (medium)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--LlNjG6oP--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_77,q_80,w_137/18erizp83w2sbjpg.jpg, (large)])
Caster Semenya is apparently so traumatized by her very public gender testing and the leaking of results that she's not able to take her university exams. Luckily, the school is understanding, and she'll be able to take them later. [SMH]
Caster Semenya In Hiding, Receiving Trauma Counseling After Test…
], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--JG0p9Ukm--/c_fill,g_north,h_358,w_636/18erlkripd8iqjpg.jpg, (small)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--IdoOv03x--/c_fill,g_north,h_180,w_320/18erlkripd8iqjpg.jpg, (medium)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--KC_H84bd--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_77,q_80,w_137/18erlkripd8iqjpg.jpg, (large)])
The Guardian is reporting that Caster Semenya has gone into hiding and is receiving "trauma counseling" after the results of her gender tests were publicly announced last week— tests, her mother claims, Caster didn't know anything about.
Australian News Report Describes Semenya As "Hermaphrodite," Sparking…
], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--GQs6WB3o--/c_fill,g_north,h_358,w_636/18erlrq3kthvujpg.jpg, (small)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--TYQqBMRx--/c_fill,g_north,h_180,w_320/18erlrq3kthvujpg.jpg, (medium)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--gJ3bxDaM--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_77,q_80,w_137/18erlrq3kthvujpg.jpg, (large)])
An Australian newspaper has reported that Caster Semenya is a "hermaphrodite" with internal testes and no womb or ovaries — and unsurprisingly, many people are disgusted and outraged.
Semenya To Return To Hero's Welcome, But Female Athletes Still Expected …
], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--01j7lk7_--/c_fill,g_north,h_358,w_636/18ern069nd6aojpg.jpg, (small)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--FAR4U6AF--/c_fill,g_north,h_180,w_320/18ern069nd6aojpg.jpg, (medium)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--umNrS1Oa--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_77,q_80,w_137/18ern069nd6aojpg.jpg, (large)])
A celebration will greet Caster Semenya and her teammates when they return to South Africa tomorrow — but Semenya's body type is still not celebrated in women's sports.
Caster Semenya's Father Weighs In On Gender Controversy
], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--Jf8a3Zv1--/c_fill,g_north,h_358,w_636/18ern2d6y48l9jpg.jpg, (small)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--rOSAFHB8--/c_fill,g_north,h_180,w_320/18ern2d6y48l9jpg.jpg, (medium)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--gY0WU9E4--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_77,q_80,w_137/18ern2d6y48l9jpg.jpg, (large)])
The controversy regarding world champion runner Caster Semenya's gender rages on, and now her father has spoken up in her defense, noting that while "you may mistake her for a man," she is still very much a woman.
Communists, Germaine Greer Weigh In On Semenya Sex Controversy
], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--Qw23rIb8--/c_fill,g_north,h_358,w_636/18ern5thpwcckjpg.jpg, (small)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--vLBzCnD6--/c_fill,g_north,h_180,w_320/18ern5thpwcckjpg.jpg, (medium)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--Y2HzADQ6--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_77,q_80,w_137/18ern5thpwcckjpg.jpg, (large)])
As more details emerge about which intersex conditions would stop runner Caster Semenya from competing as a woman, even Germaine Greer has something to say.