The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) is currently reviewing its gender policy that may result in the prohibition of transgender women from competing in female snooker events, a move reflecting recent shifts in regulations within other sports such as football and cricket. This reconsideration follows last month’s landmark ruling by the Supreme Court regarding the legal definition of a woman, which has prompted various sporting bodies to reassess their inclusion policies.
Amidst this backdrop, LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall faced criticism for its response to the Supreme Court ruling, with some suggesting it has been encouraging organisations to disregard legal definitions of biological sex. Maya Forstater, chief executive of women's rights group Sex Matters, voiced her concerns, stating that Stonewall's influence and charitable status should not be used to promote what she described as unlawful practices. Speaking to The Telegraph, Forstater emphasised that “it should not be encouraging employers, service providers, sports governing bodies or individuals to ignore or flout the law.”
The potential changes to the WPBSA's policies have been welcomed by former world No.1 Maria Catalano, who has refused to compete in women’s snooker for the past three years in protest of existing regulations that allowed trans women with reduced testosterone levels to participate in the female division.
In a parallel development, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced on Friday that transgender women would be barred from participating in all levels of women's cricket. This decision is part of a broader crackdown on trans participation in women's sports, with immediate effect. While the ECB has asserted that it remains committed to inclusivity, it clarified that trans women and girls could still compete in open and mixed categories. The ECB expressed its recognition of the significant impact this ruling would have on affected individuals and stated that it would continue to support them through recreational boards while awaiting further guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission.
Moreover, the English Football Association (FA) recently implemented a similar policy, declaring that transgender women would not be permitted to play in women’s football beginning June 1. Stonewall FC, a football team squarely focused on LGBTQ+ inclusion, expressed profound disappointment regarding the FA's ruling, proclaiming that the change sends a harmful message to transgender players who wish to engage in the sport they love as their identified gender. Their statement affirmed, “Trans rights are human rights. That includes the right to play, to belong and to thrive in sport,” signalling strong opposition to policies that restrict accessibility.
Commenting on the ongoing situation, a spokesperson for Stonewall acknowledged the complexities introduced by the Supreme Court ruling, stating that the organisation is currently seeking legal advice to grasp its implications fully. Meanwhile, the WPBSA has indicated that it is navigating a complicated landscape of equality legislation that spans both the UK and global contexts, underscoring the multifaceted nature of this ongoing discussion in sports.
Source: Noah Wire Services