MicroWaveMay 27, 2025

GOP lawmaker left speechless when asked if he's trans during a hearing

https://lemmy.world/post/30328239

GOP lawmaker left speechless when asked if he's trans during a hearing - Lemmy.World

He huffed about how the question wasn’t “appropriate” even though his bill would result in kids being asked that same question. A Republican state rep from Michigan testifying about his anti-trans sports bill on Monday was left speechless after an out Democratic colleague began his questioning by asking, “Representative, can you tell me: are you trans?” A long beat staring down out gay Democratic state Rep. Mike McFall followed, before state Rep. Jason Woolford ® managed to reply, “Are you?” “I’m actually going somewhere with this,” he said to lawmakers in the small chamber. “Because I want to know, how does a 14-year-old girl prove whether or not she’s trans to a 50-year-old coach?”

Show threadJiveTurkeyMay 27, 2025

I guess I’m out of the loop on this subject and honestly I don’t know if the information I have is factual or not.

Do trans women generally have a physical advantage over women? Are there any rules for this kind of thing? Do they need to be transitioning or taking suppression drugs? This is a serious question.

Show threadburgerpocalyseMay 27, 2025

trans people on hormone replacement therapy stop receiving the effects of whatever hormone their body produces naturally. so trans women lose muscle mass, bone density, whatever, and have no benefit from having previously lived as a man.

additionally, im of the opinion that less than 1 percent of child athletes go on to play professional sports, so who gives a shit who is playing who

Show threadturtlesareneatMay 27, 2025
One could argue that having gone through puberty as a male people might have a bigger frame which could be advantageous in some cases (basketball, track) but in my mind, this is more an argument for puberty blockers than against athletics
Show threadGabadabs
Plenty of people might have different genetic advantages in sports, but they’re allowed to compete. Who cares?
May 28, 2025 at 1:06amWeb
Show threadHellsBelleMay 28, 2025

Exactly.

Michael Phelps’s height, wingspan, and large hands and feet give him an advantage in swimming. His body also produces less lactic acid than his rivals, which shortens his recovery time. However, his success is also due to his dedication and hard work.

scienceabc.com/…/michael-phelps-height-arms-torso…

If they want everything “equal” then an athlete like Phelps should be taking drugs to raise the lactic acid in his system.

Let Science Explain: Why Is Michael Phelps the Undisputed King of Swimming?

He stands tall at 6'4", which is the ideal height for swimming. His wingspan is 6'7", 3 inches more than his height. Generally a person's arm span is equal to his/her height, but Phelps is not an ordinary person.

ScienceABC
Show threadHyphlosionMay 28, 2025
Is Michael Phelps a human or a bird?
Show threadJiveTurkeyMay 28, 2025
I’m not sure what the argument is here. Obviously genetics make a difference but other men were competitive. If we were to allow Phelps to swim against the women that would not be the case but you seem to be insisting that none of it is fair because we aren’t all clones so who cares about the rules at all and that doesn’t work
Show threadKnock_Knock_Lemmy_InMay 28, 2025
At an amateur level, no-one.
Show threadGabadabsMay 28, 2025
There’s states banning trans kids competing in sports.
Show threadKnock_Knock_Lemmy_InMay 28, 2025
The kids don’t care.