AFL, SANFL ‘transphobia’ cop out turns biology into bigotry | Caleb Bond

Instead of police investigating a legitimate question, footy authorities need to catch up with other science-driven sports, writes Caleb Bond.

The Adelaide Footy League says it is “sickened” by someone questioning whether a biological male should be playing against biological females.

How is that sickening? It’s a perfectly legitimate point.

This denouncement of what Adelaide Footy League chief John Kernahan called “vitriolic, if not archaic, views” was prompted by a Facebook comment from an experienced copper.

“So apparently men have no physical advantage playing against women! This is lunacy,” the police officer wrote.

“A man can’t swim against a woman, how is it right for one to play a physical sport like football against women? It’s not transphobic, it’s science and it’s cheating.”

The comment was, at worst, insensitive in that the officer referred to a transgender woman as a man.

Picture: Adelaide Footy League Facebook

Picture: Adelaide Footy League Facebook

Picture: Adelaide Footy League Facebook

But the crux of the argument – that biological males might have an advantage over females on the football field – cannot be dismissed as transphobic or sickening.

It is legitimate and it is just as important in amateur sport as it is in professional sport.

Sure, you’re not playing for sheep stations in the Adelaide Footy League, but it is a real competition and all competitions should be underpinned by fairness – a value that is baked into the fabric of Australia.

As is so often the case when it comes to issues pushed by the left, Mr Kernahan has set this up as an issue that should not even be discussed because it would supposedly be harmful to do so.

Adelaide Footy League chief John Kernahan said the league was sickened by the Facebook comments. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

But, even where issues concern vulnerable people, they still have to be thrashed out. Nothing can simply be accepted – especially not the concept of allowing biological men to play football against women – without debate.

Swimming’s governing body, FINA, has already banned transgender women from competing against biological women after complaints from some of the world’s top female swimmers, including Australian champions Emma McKeon and Emily Seebohm.

Their decision was based on the advice of a scientific panel.

Every single women’s swimming world record is slower than the male equivalent.

International Rugby League followed suit shortly after.

Other governing bodies worldwide, including the British Triathlon Federation, have also been enacting such rules.

But the AFL does not have restrictions. The SANFL says, under its interpretation of AFL rules, that “inclusion” is more important than “competitive advantage” in community football.

The police officer who dared question this is now being investigated by SAPOL’s Ethical and Professional Standards Branch.

But he raised a legitimate point – and it should not be dismissed.