Who will feel shut out

There’s standing in solidarity with and then there’s the other thing.

StonewallUK means they stand in solidarity with men who identify as women who will feel shut out of women’s rugby. They do not mean they stand in solidarity with women who feel shut out of women’s rugby because playing against men will be too dangerous. They also ignore the fact that men who identify as women will not be shut out of men’s rugby. Their solidarity is reserved for men who want to be able to play on women’s and men’s teams, and not for women who won’t be able to play at all because playing against men is too dangerous. Everything for men, nothing for women – what could be more progressive?

But it’s not about “inclusion.” Nobody is saying trans people can’t play rugby. World Rugby is confirming that people with male bodies can’t play against women. Rugby is a bruising contact sport; it’s not safe for women to play against male bodies. Why can’t StonewallUK think about the women for a change?

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