Transgender Gymnasts Afforded the Freedom to Utilize Changerooms Aligned with Their True Gender Identity

Transgender individuals will have the freedom to compete in grassroots or national gymnastic competitions that best reflect their “gender identity” going forward, according to new guidelines from Gymnastics Australia.

The sport’s governing body has developed wide-ranging measures to foster an “inclusive environment” for transgender or gender-diverse individuals, according to the Guidelines for the Inclusion of Transgender and Gender Diverse People in Community Gymnastics, which was released on Aug. 30.

The rules will extend all the way down to community competitions and include a swathe of new conditions for transgender competitors.

Changes to Bathroom Access, Uniforms, Competition Entrants

Section 5 of the guidelines (pdf) says individuals may “wear the uniform of their choosing as it aligns with their gender identity.”

In Section 6, Gymnastics Australia says it recognises the existing difficulties with having adequate changerooms and shower facilities.

“Gymnastics Australia supports the right of people to use changing and bathroom facilities which best reflects their gender identity,” the organisation says.

“Where new facilities are built, or upgrades are taking place, Gymnastics Australia and Australian Gymnastics Organisations will advocate for options to create inclusive spaces.”

Section 7 says that for all community gymnastics events, individuals can participate in events that best reflect “their gender identity.”

“For mixed-gender competitions, people can participate in a manner which best reflects their gender identity. Rules for mixed-gender competitions will be applied based on gender identity,” the guidelines say.

Gymnastics Australia says international competitions will have their own regulations that may differ.

Alexandra Ash, CEO of the governing body, said the guidelines were “another important step” in cementing inclusivity and safety for all stakeholders in the sport.

“Our commitment to transgender and gender diverse people involved in our sport is that gymnastics is and will continue to be a safe and inclusive environment for everyone, regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, ability, cultural background, or ethnicity,” Ms. Ash said in a statement.

Decision Draws Criticism

Critics of the decision have been quick to condemn the sporting organisation with former National Basketball Association player Andrew Bogut writing on X (formerly known as Twitter): “RIP Gymnastics Australia.”

While women’s rights advocate, Sall Grover, said it was imperative she win an ongoing court case that will make it possible to enforce sex distinctions under the law.

“A Giggle win in ‘Tickle v Giggle’ will mean that every woman and girl gymnast in Australia will have the law on her side to say ‘No!’ to males in female spaces, services, and sport,” she wrote on X.

The case revolves around the actions of a biological male named Roxanne Tickle, who identifies as a transgender woman who was barred from Ms. Grover’s women-only app Giggle.

In December 2022, Mr. Tickle filed a claim to the Federal Court of Australia accusing the app and Ms. Grover of discriminating against him on the basis of gender identity,

Both legal teams will wrangle over whether Mr. Tickle was discriminated against under the Sex Discrimination Act and whether a person’s self-identifying gender is protected.

The case will cost Ms. Grover $500,000 to defend, and if it escalates to the High Court of Australia, over $1 million.

Meanwhile, Gymnastic Australia’s decision comes as global sporting leagues grapple with the issue of transgender individuals

Recently, Australian-born Danielle McGahey became the first transgender cricket player to compete in the Women’s T20 World Cup qualifier representing Canada.

Since moving to Canada in February 2020, Mr. McGahey began identifying as a woman in November of that year before medically transitioning in May 2021.