It’s also why the anti-trans argument makes absolutely no sense in chess. Like, in sports there’s some room for nuance because cis men do have a huge advantage in most sports of cis women, and depending on the sport and the stage of transition, that can carry forward to trans women. It’s fucking hard to have that nuanced conversation because 95% of the time it gets drowned out by transphobes, but there’s still something to talk about.
But in chess? Nobody is arguing there’s any inherent biological advantage. The only reason for gendered tournaments is to create a safer space for non-men to compete in a male-dominated pastime. The only argument for excluding trans women from the Women’s category in chess is transphobia. It’s a real “mask off” moment for all the TERFs claiming it’s about “integrity in sport” (Jesus fuck, writing that out made me realise how similar this all is to gamergate and the birth of the alt right).
A lot of tournaments in HEMA (historical European martial arts—think fencing, but with bigger, older styles of swords than what they use at the Olympics) around where I lived have started using an “Underrepresented Genders” (URG) category alongside the Open category, instead of Women’s. It’s functionally not much different from having a Women’s category that also accepts trans people (important possible difference: it accepts trans men as well as trans women, and enbies), but the name helps make it clearer. I quite like that as a concept.
How does a trans-woman’s socialization compromise competitive integrity? That’s an entirely internal problem, and it doesn’t affect any other competitors. This is really just grabbing for any excuse to be transphobic.
Are tomboys allowed to play chess?
Do I have to wear a skirt and be straight?
My psychologist told me I was socialized as a girl, but does that make me eligible to play chess?
I have normal thoughts and reactions for a woman and men intimidate me more than you will ever know. Can I please play now?
Ugh, you know what, this women’s league stuff is a another example of men making up rules for me again. Count me out.
No, it isn’t. It’s so women can enter the game without the pressure of going into a tournament setting mostly dominated by men. A trans-woman being in the women’s tournament does not compromise that unless you don’t think trans-woman are women. Being born male does not impact one’s ability to compete in chess, just the accessibility of a competition dominated men. If you’re already in the women’s space, then that issue is entirely moot. A trans-woman faces the same social barrier to competing, and is entitled to the same protected space.
The only argument against that is if you don’t really think trans-woman are women.
I don’t agree that that is the motivation. You’re confusing cause and effect. The competition space is dominated by men because of social and cultural norms, which is why they made a women’s division. It’s not so there’s “less pressure”, it’s so the entire top level of the competition isn’t entirely men and there’s actually a meaningful competition for both groups.
How does anything you just said preclude trans-women in the women’s division? Again, they have the same social and cultural barriers, and are entitled to the same space. The only reason to disagree, is if you don’t believe they’re women. If that’s the case, say it with your chest.
I hypothetically agree, but note that you’re basically arguing for trans women to compete with men. Just in this scenario bio women also have to. And classically this results in men dominating and women being discouraged from even joining due to factors discussed above.
It’s also why the anti-trans argument makes absolutely no sense in chess. Like, in sports there’s some room for nuance because cis men do have a huge advantage in most sports of cis women, and depending on the sport and the stage of transition, that can carry forward to trans women. It’s fucking hard to have that nuanced conversation because 95% of the time it gets drowned out by transphobes, but there’s still something to talk about.
But in chess? Nobody is arguing there’s any inherent biological advantage. The only reason for gendered tournaments is to create a safer space for non-men to compete in a male-dominated pastime. The only argument for excluding trans women from the Women’s category in chess is transphobia. It’s a real “mask off” moment for all the TERFs claiming it’s about “integrity in sport” (Jesus fuck, writing that out made me realise how similar this all is to gamergate and the birth of the alt right).
A lot of tournaments in HEMA (historical European martial arts—think fencing, but with bigger, older styles of swords than what they use at the Olympics) around where I lived have started using an “Underrepresented Genders” (URG) category alongside the Open category, instead of Women’s. It’s functionally not much different from having a Women’s category that also accepts trans people (important possible difference: it accepts trans men as well as trans women, and enbies), but the name helps make it clearer. I quite like that as a concept.
100% this if people want you get angry at the FIDE they should do it for the right reasons.
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How does a trans-woman’s socialization compromise competitive integrity? That’s an entirely internal problem, and it doesn’t affect any other competitors. This is really just grabbing for any excuse to be transphobic.
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Are tomboys allowed to play chess? Do I have to wear a skirt and be straight? My psychologist told me I was socialized as a girl, but does that make me eligible to play chess? I have normal thoughts and reactions for a woman and men intimidate me more than you will ever know. Can I please play now? Ugh, you know what, this women’s league stuff is a another example of men making up rules for me again. Count me out.
No, it isn’t. It’s so women can enter the game without the pressure of going into a tournament setting mostly dominated by men. A trans-woman being in the women’s tournament does not compromise that unless you don’t think trans-woman are women. Being born male does not impact one’s ability to compete in chess, just the accessibility of a competition dominated men. If you’re already in the women’s space, then that issue is entirely moot. A trans-woman faces the same social barrier to competing, and is entitled to the same protected space.
The only argument against that is if you don’t really think trans-woman are women.
I don’t agree that that is the motivation. You’re confusing cause and effect. The competition space is dominated by men because of social and cultural norms, which is why they made a women’s division. It’s not so there’s “less pressure”, it’s so the entire top level of the competition isn’t entirely men and there’s actually a meaningful competition for both groups.
How does anything you just said preclude trans-women in the women’s division? Again, they have the same social and cultural barriers, and are entitled to the same space. The only reason to disagree, is if you don’t believe they’re women. If that’s the case, say it with your chest.
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I’m glad you’ve decided the social experience of every trans-woman for her. That makes sense.
How does anyone know what socialization I had? Also, why does it even matter? This just feels like grasping for straws.
I hypothetically agree, but note that you’re basically arguing for trans women to compete with men. Just in this scenario bio women also have to. And classically this results in men dominating and women being discouraged from even joining due to factors discussed above.
also feels like grasping at straw men