Today, we’re discussing a significant policy change by the Tarheel Swimming Association, one of the largest recreational swim leagues in the country. According to a recent statement, the league has decided that transgender athletes will now compete based on the sex they were assigned at birth, rather than the gender they identify with.

Shawn Gage, the president of the association, shared that this decision followed over 18 months of discussions and extensive consultations with families, healthcare professionals, and research into various policies. Gage noted, “We spoke with families of transgender swimmers and researched policies of competitive and recreational swim leagues...being sure to cover both sides.”

In a vote from the participating teams, 43 favored registering swimmers by their sex assigned at birth, while 25 opted for the preferred gender category. Gage emphasized that this change will only affect a small number of swimmers in a league with over 13,000 members.

While the association's decision has sparked controversy, particularly in light of the debates surrounding transgender athletes in sports, Gage affirmed that the league remains inclusive: “Transgender children are welcome in this league...but for competition, the league has decided that they are to compete as their sex identified at birth.” This policy raises important discussions about fairness and inclusion in sports. Stay tuned for more updates on this evolving issue.
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