Senator Dick Durbin under fire for remarks on trans athletes in women’s sports
Chiefs that democratic senator Dick Durbin recently came under scrutiny over his comment regarding the matter of trans athlete within women college teams. The senator from Illinois dismissed any apprehensions by pointing out that there aren’t many males impersonating women because they represent a mere one percent of athletes in female categories.
That came during a hearing with NCAA President Charlie Baker on Capitol Hill where Durbin sought to know why there are many transgender athletes in college sports. Baker countered that, out of 510,000 NCAA athletes, there are less than ten who are trans.
After this conversation, Senator Durbin took to X (formerly Twitter) to say that energy should now be channeled somewhere else other than transgender athletes and towards enhancing women’s sector. This comment sparked another round of backlash mainly from advocates of women athletes who have been forced to lock horns with or share lockers with their transgender counterparts.
Charges were made, including by female critics, to the effect that the 80-year-old senetor was ignoring the plight of women athletes and down playing the difficulties they encounter. Some of the comments included anger, with other people asserting that Durbin is clueless saying his words were fake news.
The hearing also provided an insight into NCAA regulation disputes between institutions and its governing body . Specifically, amid the NCAA policy of policy of allowing athletes of a certain gender identity access to locker rooms, showers, or restrooms, Republican Senator Josh Hawley from Missouri questioned Baker on the same. In a bid to justify the policy, Baker urged athletes who are not at ease with the arrangement to look for other accommodation.
Asked if biological males have physical advantages over females in sports, Baker hesitated to do that, saying, “I wouldn’t fully agree with it, but at the same time, there are definitely people who would argue this is the case, and there’s very little research comparing male and female athletes.”
There are Miss or Mrs. Trans performing their fear in different women sports competition, which will always provoke debate to find the best policy to follow in order to accommodate everyone.
