6 Comments
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Kathy Price's avatar

So how long would a trans woman have to be taking hormone therapy before being allowed to compete? In general, males have more fast-twitch muscle fibers than females, which is what gives them greater strength. How does hormone therapy change the fiber ratio? Does it change the fiber ratio or is there something else at play here? I am a histology technician by training and profession and used to do muscle histochemistries in the clinical laboratory. I would be interested in correlating the change in muscle fiber composition during the process - wow, this has opened up a lot of questions.

RESIST | FIGHT's avatar

That is exactly why the evidence matters.

The point is not that every physiological question is closed — it is that anti-trans politicians are writing bans before the science supports their claims, then forcing trans women to prove they belong under standards cis women are never asked to meet.

Krystal's avatar

A lot of other studies have hinted at this so it’s nice to see a study that directly confronts this information. I fear, however, that the point of them trying to suggest trans girls and women are a danger to women’s sports isn’t just them simply trying to keep us out of sports, it’s implanting that idea that trans girls and trans women are somehow a threat or a danger to cis women, and cis girls, and with that seed planted it makes it less difficult to plant that same seed elsewhere and eventually dehumanize us entirely. I really hope studies like this helped to dispel this notion and people stop looking at it as not a big deal because this is a very big deal. It’s the difference between being able to participate in public like everyone else or being forced into the shadows and treated like a threat in all aspects of life.

RESIST | FIGHT's avatar

That is the real danger.

Anti-trans politicians and media are not just trying to keep trans girls and trans women out of sports — they are using sports to teach the public to see trans people as threats everywhere.

Madison N's avatar

I'm a high functioning athlete, have been my entire life. I knew I was going to lose a lot of athletic capacity once my testosterone was reduced. I had no idea it would be so dramatic. I've read many articles and scientific studies on this. This information combined with my own experience very definitely points to a lack of retained advantage after GAHT. And since I've tracked my performance from before I transitioned, I have the receipts.

RESIST | FIGHT's avatar

That lived record matters.

Anti-trans politicians keep talking over trans athletes, but Madison N is naming what the data also shows: after GAHT, retained advantage is not the simple anti-trans story they keep selling.