A group of signatories are demanding in an open letter that Boxing Canada establish clear and fair criteria for the participation of transgender athletes in women's events sanctioned by the organization.
• Also read: A Quebec woman refuses to confront a transboxer for safety reasons
• Also read: Fight canceled: Transgender boxer wants to continue practicing her sport
• Also read: Four times transgender athletes sparked debate
In view of the Brampton Cup, which will begin on February 1st in Ontario, 20 Quebec intellectuals have sent this letter to Boxing Canada Director General Christopher Lindsay.
She denounces the inclusion of transgender participants in female categories, claiming that their presence would pose a danger to “biologically female” athletes.[s]”.
“But pitting a biological male against a biological female in a boxing match raises an equally pertinent question of fairness. “It’s not just about justice like in swimming and athletics, but also about the safety of the boxer,” it reads.
You can read the letter here:
• Also read: Justice remains a priority in the boxing industry that goes far beyond issues of gender identity
“In the field of boxing we are different, the injustice is not limited to the aspect of competition, it also includes the physical safety of the athlete,” assures Romain Gagnon, initiator of the letter.
Romain Gagnon Photo provided by Romain Gagnon
The story of Katia Bissonnette
The engineer and author says that amateur boxer Katia Bissonnette contacted him after she gave a conference on gender identity in December, on the sidelines of which there was a demonstration “by transsexuals who tried to cancel the event,” prompting police intervention required.
The Saguenay made headlines when she refused to fight Mya Walmsley at a competition in Victoriaville in October out of fear for her safety. An hour before she entered the ring, Bissonnette learned by chance that her opponent was born in a man's body.
Romain Gagnon assures that “Katia has read the letter and agrees with it”.
Different fists
“We often talk about testosterone boosting performance, but what we don't often hear is the fact that testosterone, when present during puberty, develops specific punch-fighting properties,” he argues, citing an article in the Journal of Experimental Biology.
“I did tests, I had fun with my friends, my girlfriends, my daughters, I made them close their fist and we see that a woman's fist closing her fist doesn't close her fist in the same way closes like a woman's. 'A man,” he remarks.
Gagnon points out that boxing has weight classes for reasons of fairness and safety.
“It is complete nonsense for a biological man to be allowed to fight against a woman. “It’s a contradiction that hits us right in the face,” he emphasizes.
ID requested
The 20 signatories to the letter therefore demand that “Boxing Canada establish clear and fair criteria for the participation of transgender athletes and communicate them to other female boxers so that they can properly assess the risks they take,” adding that in If the opposite were to happen, several women would leave the sport.
“In the meantime, can you at least announce your colors?” If you do not want to immediately say that a testosterone level of this level is required, […] A boxer entering the ring must know in advance whether his opponent is a biological male,” says Romain Gagnon.
“If they decide to compete knowing full well that it is a biological male, that is their responsibility and it will be difficult to allege criminal negligence afterwards,” he concludes.
Following Katia Bissonnette and Mya Walmsley's story, Boxe Québec president Ariane Fortin said she “looks forward to a clear policy.” [de Boxe Canada]”. The former boxer said that “we were also advised not to talk about it, even with officials, to avoid discrimination.”
For its part, Boxing Canada confirmed that a “policy development committee” has been established.
– In collaboration with Marianne Langlois