WASHINGTON - iSportsWire -- In response to recent efforts to have the WNBA explain whether it would allow men who identify as women  to play in a league restricted to "women," it is reported (https://clutchpoints.com/wnba/wnba-stories/wnba...) that "the WNBA formed an Anti-Hate Task Force to address the issues that have gained heightened attention recently," and denounced "the bad-faith efforts to use these topics to demean or marginalize others." [emphasis added]

But it is wrong to assume that everyone who wants to preserve the WNBA for females is doing so out of hate - something which should be obvious by simply looking at other restrictions which have long been applied in many other athletic events - says public interest law professor John Banzhaf, who has won over 100 cases of discrimination against both women and men.

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Many people of good faith believe that females should not be forced to compete with males for at least two basic reasons: the unfairness of such competition, and the heightened risk of serious injuries.

But these are the same reasons why younger athletes are not permitted to compete in Senior Olympic, and larger athletes are not permitted to compete with those who are much smaller.

A 25-year-old athlete would not be permitted to compete with athletes over 50 in the Senior Olympics because it would be blatantly unfair, and increase the risk of injury to older competitors.  It's not because there is hatred towards younger athletes; athletes in their prime do not feel demeaned or marginalized.

It is also true that the exclusion from the Senior Olympics would apply even if a young athlete felt old, acted old, believed themselves to be old, identified as old, were called "gramps," or were referred to as trans seniors.  Calling anyone a trans senior obviously does not make him a senior.

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Similarly, a man weighing over 220 pounds would not be permitted to box against men weighing 135 pounds even if he feels much lighter, believes himself to be much lighter, insists on being called "tiny" or "skinny," or self identifies as someone who is very light.  Calling someone  a trans lightweight doesn't make them a lightweight.

Requiring someone to compete against people like themselves does not occur because of hatred.  The reasons are exactly the same for keeping a league for women restricted to females.  Moreover, big men do not feel demeaned or marginalized.

While there may be some people who hate those who are transgender, it is unfair and certainly inaccurate for the WNBA to assume that any efforts to restrict athletic events for girls and women to females must necessary be based upon hatred, concludes Banzhaf, who has testified in favor of protecting transgender people.

http://banzhaf.net/   jbanzhaf3ATgmail.com   @profbanzhaf