Trans women have been banned from competing in all levels of female cricket with immediate effect, it has been announced by the England and Wales Cricket Board.
In an update to its transgender guidelines, the ECB said “only those whose biological sex is female will be eligible to play in women’s cricket and girls’ cricket matches”. The board added trans women and girls, however, can still take part in open and mixed cricket.
The decision comes after the UK Supreme Court ruled on 15 April that the definition of ‘sex’ under the 2010 Equality Act and by extension the legal definition of a woman solely refers to biological women and excludes trans women.
The decision by the court’s justices is expected to have wide-ranging implications both for the trans and non-binary community but also for public bodies, organisations and services who will be asked to update their polices on inclusion and single-sex spaces to reflect the court’s findings.
@pinknews Danielle McGahey Ribeiro, the only transgender person to play international cricket, has called out the English Cricketing Board (ECB) over their decision to ban trans women and girls from competing in female competitions in England and Wales. On Friday 2 May, the ECB said: “With immediate effect, only those whose biological seggs is female will be eligible to play in women’s cricket and girls’ cricket matches. Transgender women and girls can continue playing in open and mixed cricket.” The board cited the ruling by the UK Supreme Court which stated that the legal definition of a ‘woman’ would be based on biological seggs, therefore excluding trans women. #cricket #womenscricket #transwoman #transrights #womenssports #lgbtqia
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In the two weeks since the ruling, Barclays has suggested it will bar trans women from using female toilets and both the Football Association (FA)’s and Scottish Football Association’s have introduced bans on trans women playing female football.
A statement from the England and Wales Cricket Board reads: “Our regulations for recreational cricket have always aimed at ensuring that cricket remains as inclusive a sport as possible.
“These included measures to manage disparities, irrespective of someone’s gender, and safeguard the enjoyment of all players. However, given the new advice received about the impact of the Supreme Court ruling, we believe the changes announced today are necessary.”
The ECB went on to say it acknowledges the decision will have a “significant’ impact on trans women and girls who take part in the sport, adding it will “work with Recreational Cricket Boards to support people impacted by this change in our regulations”
Speaking to PinkNews, trans cricketer Danielle McGahey Ribeiro – the first trans woman to play international cricket – said the ECB’s ban is “devastating” for the trans community and as a trans person she feels the “pain and injustice of this so deeply”.
“It is a cruel, inhumane act of exclusion that I condemn it in the strongest possible terms,” she said. “To ban trans women and girls from the sport we love is not just discrimination, it robs people the joy and the belonging that comes when you’re part of a cricketing community.”
She continued: “This policy tells us that we do not belong, and that is just wrong. We do belong. We belong in cricket from every level, from grassroots up to international.
“This is a shameful step backwards and I urge the ECB to please listen to trans people to remember that cricket at its best is about inclusion, fairness and belonging.
“For all you say that you are committed to ensuring cricket is played in the spirit of respect and inclusivity, but your act today proves otherwise.”
McGahey Ribeiro added: “Let me be clear, no one transitions just to play cricket. No one goes to the pain, loss, and societal impacts, just to Blake or hit your act today is deeply harmful for our community, and I will not stand for.”
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