MPs back ‘offensive’ motion
GOLD Coast state MPs have come under fire for backing a “disgraceful” motion against transgender athletes.
Transgender athletes were accused of “eroding” women’s sport in a motion by Katter’s Australia Party MP Robbie Katter in parliament on Wednesday night.
The “Women in Sport” motion called on the state government to agree that allowing transgender athletes in women’s sport would erode its integrity. It also asked MPs to agree that transgender athletes “pose an unfair competitive advantage” over non-transgender athletes.
The motion was made by Mr Katter despite the state government being unable to control whether sports bar transgender athletes. Labor MP and Youth Affairs Minister Meaghan Scanlon said the move was “incredibly transphobic”.
All other Coast state MPs voted in favour of the claim.
Mr Katter told the house: “When people are born biologically male and then want to participate in women’s sport through whatever means, whether it is through hormone therapy or surgical changes, there is unquestionably a distinct advantage.”
Ms Scanlon told the Bulletin: “Any suggestion this is in the name of women’s rights is offensive. Among all three parties, only 16 per cent of their members are women – and it shows. These are the same people who voted against abortion rights, voted against banning gay conversion therapy and the Human Rights Act.”
As of 2021 there were no published studies on trans athletes participating at the elite level. Testosterone-suppressing therapies can also put athletes at higher risk of injury and inability to recover.
“It’s a play out of the rightwing American political playbook, at the expense of trans people,” a parliamentary staff member said. “It’s nothing but political grandstanding.”
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has also been under fire for declining to condemn a LNP candidate who claimed transgender people were “mutilated” by transitioning.
A member of the queer community, who asked to remain anonymous, said: “It’s really sad to see trans people being used as political football. It makes me really angry.”