Transgender women banned from all competitive female matches by British tennis

Transgender women banned from all competitive female matches by British tennis

Transgender women have been banned from all competitive female matches by the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA). The governing body's decision applies to both tennis and padel, and follows updated guidance published this week by the Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC). The EHRC's revised policy, which replaces its previous 2011 position, draws on last year's Supreme Court ruling affirming that the "concept of sex is binary". Having reviewed the new framework, the LTA has concluded it must now apply its transgender participation ban to all competitive matchplay, closing a gap that had previously allowed individual clubs to set their own rules for internal ladders, leagues and knockout events. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say Until late 2024, the LTA had already positioned itself as one of the more stringent governing bodies on this issue, introducing rules that covered county and national tournaments as well as inter-club fixtures. However, it stopped short of dictating policy for competitions organised within individual clubs, leaving those decisions to local discretion. That approach has now changed with the EHRC's refreshed guidance, which was shaped by the Supreme Court's landmark judgment on the binary nature of sex. In light of this shift, the LTA determined it could no longer permit any exceptions, concluding that its restrictions on transgender participation must encompass competitive matchplay at every level without exception. LATEST SPORTS NEWS Gianni Infantino reported to FIFA Ethics Committee as potential successor demands resignation Coco Gauff makes feelings clear on transgender athletes after Aryna Sabalenka stance Michael Owen gives verdict on Marcus Rashford with Man Utd star to get Old Trafford lifeline Baroness Sharron Davies, the former Olympic swimming medallist who has spearheaded opposition to transgender athletes competing in women's sport, praised the move. She wrote on social media: "Good. Sports are now doing what they