Anti-trans swimmer Riley Gaines has come under fire for defending her stance against allowing trans women to compete in women's chess tournaments—prompting a trans comedian to point out the awkward implication.
Trans journalist Erin Reed, engaged to trans lawmaker Zooey Zephyr, tagged Gaines in a post discussing the International Chess Federation (FIDE)'s decision to ban trans women from participating in its women’s events. She asked if Gaines remembered "that time [she] advocated for banning trans women from women’s chess."
Responding to Reed's post, Gaines affirmed her involvement in advocating for the prohibition of trans women from women's chess events.
She stated:
“Of course I do. I worked alongside leadership within to make sure of it. Women’s opportunities are meant for women, full stop."
“Men shouldn’t be in women’s category in chess, pool, or any sport. Why even have women’s category in the first place if men can play wherever they want?”
You can see her post below.
Shortly afterward, trans comedian and model Stacy Cay pointed out the flaws in Gaines' logic and her implication that cisgender women "are dumb."
She wrote:
“I don’t think arguing that ‘trans women have an unfair advantage in chess because cis women are dumb’ is the feminist stance you think it is."
“Trans women aren’t men, btw. Hope this helps.”
You can see her response below.
Gaines was swiftly criticized for her flawed argument.
Over the summer, the International Chess Federation (FIDE) generated controversy for its decision to ban transgender competitors from its events.
FIDE announced its intention to ban trans players from participating in its events for a two-year period. The federation cited differences in physical endurance and hormone levels between cisgender and transgender competitors as the basis for its decision.
Dana Reizniece-Ozola, deputy chair of FIDE's management board, highlighted the need for further scientific research on the impact of hormonal levels on chess performance, particularly during lengthy games that require mental endurance.
However, transgender players have been participating in chess competitions for years without any issues.
Malcolm Pein, director of international chess at the English Chess Federation, expressed disappointment in the new policy, highlighting that decades of research have shown that the biological differences between genders do not significantly impact chess skills.
He suggested that differences in playing strength and level are more related to historical participation levels, which have been predominantly male.
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