MA Library Presentation: MALES AND FEMALES ARE DIFFERENT AND THAT MATTERS IN SPORTS

October 2nd on Zoom, 7-8pm (Spread the word!)

The Tewksbury Public Library is hosting a Zoom presentation entitled Males And Females Are Different And That Matters In Sports by Dr Gregory Brown, a professor of Exercise Science at the University of Nebraska at Kearney.  Register here to receive a link to this live Zoom event, as well as a link to the recorded presentation. Time will be set aside for questions.

Dr. Brown’s talk will summarize the differences in sports performance between males and females and the biological factors driving these differences. Current research findings on the effects of testosterone suppression and puberty blockers on sports performance will also be reviewed.  

In March, the same library in Tewksbury, along with a cohort of libraries across Massachusetts and the Massachusetts Library Trustees, sponsored a talk on this issue that purported to “address the myths and misinformation surrounding ‘biological advantages’,” entitled The Real Score: Unraveling Myths About Trans People in Sports, by journalist and transgender-rights activist Erin Reed.  The only scientific evidence Reed offered in support of unqualified inclusion of males who identify as transgender in female designated sports were two studies, both of which have serious methodological flaws.  

Questions regarding who should be eligible to participate in the female sports category in publicly funded schools and educational programs have gained increasing attention in Massachusetts.  The issue is not limited to the inclusion of males who identify as transgender on female designated teams, but extends to any male who may, under certain circumstances, be allowed on female-only teams according to section 43 of the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) handbook, as happened here last November.

Over the past year local, national, and international sources have reported several events in Massachusetts where high school female athletes were injured, lost competitions and forfeited games because of safety concerns. The Boston Globe published two opinion pieces on the subject, Can We Talk About Transgender Athletes? as well as Is It Time For Hormonal Classes, Like Weight Classes, In Sports?. 

As Massachusetts state public officials, school boards and superintendents take up the challenge of balancing the the state’s commitment to inclusion with the necessity of fairness and safety for female athletes, what is most needed is clear, unbiased and well researched information on the biology of athletic performance and the ethical and social implications of including males on female designated sports teams.  In addition, more open and civil discussion on the topic will provide Massachusetts parents, student athletes and the general public with a better understanding of the current disputes regarding statewide and local policies, as well as recently updated policies of various national and international sporting federations, so that they can advocate for their interests.

By offering this presentation the Tewksbury Library is honoring the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights, which declares a commitment to free speech, viewpoint neutrality, and the provision of information and enlightenment for the public good.  However, unlike Reed’s presentation, which was widely publicized on library websites and in other local media, Brown’s presentation, as of this writing, has only been listed on the Tewksbury Library events calendar.  

Please show your support for this virtual library event by: 

• registering your attendance

• thanking the Tewksbury Library (via its contact page) for hosting this talk on fairness in sports with Dr. Brown  

• sharing this notice widely on social media and with members of school and parent groups, coaches and teachers, friends and colleagues 

• bringing this notice to the attention of your local library and requesting that they add it to their events calendar

  • In particular, if you live in one of the towns that did post notice of the March talk by Reed, tell them that they should, in fairness and adherence to American Library Association principles, post about this new talk as well.  Those towns include: Ashland, Brookline, Dover, Duxbury, Haverhill, Longmeadow, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Medford, Needham, Norwood, Shrewsbury, Springfield, Sturbridge, Wayland, and Yarmouth.

If you would like a PDF of this post for distribution, with or without mention of the action items, please email us at ma4women@proton.me.

Males And Females Are Different And That Matters In Sports will take place on October 2nd from 7-8pm.  At least 15 minutes will be set aside for questions.  Advance registration is required.  It will be recorded and registrants will receive a link to the recording within two days of the program.