Campaign groups have urged the new GAA steering group on transgender participation to protect women’s Gaelic Games.
It comes after it was revealed that a steering committee on transgender participation was being formed ahead of the amalgamation of the GAA, the LGFA and the Camogie Association.
The Steering Group on Integration (SGI), has been tasked with merging the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA), the Camogie Association, and the Ladies Gaelic Football Association (LGFA) into a single, unified Gaelic games association by 2027. The body is chaired by former President Mary McAleese.
Whilst the LGFA and Camogie Association are separate organisations, in 2022 the three associations passed motions to prioritise the amalgamation into one, unified organisation.
In 2022, the three associations passed motions to prioritise integration into one unified organisation.
Advocacy groups, the Countess and Gaels for Fair Play, are calling on the new GAA steering group on transgender participation to protect female Gaelic Games. Both campaign groups have made submissions to Croke Park, calling on them to consider a range of factors, including fairness, safety and dignity for women and girls when it comes to drafting their policy.
Sorcha Nic Lochlainn, sport spokeswoman for The Countess said that it is “vital” for coaches, players and volunteers to be aware of the latest policy development. Ms Nic Lochlainn said that the LGFA’s transgender inclusion policy had been “deliberately snuck in under a cloak of silence,” and that this could not happen again.
She said: “We know the majority of those involved in sport do not want males to be included in the female category, even when those males identify as transgender. We urge people to contact Croke Park and make their own submissions. The LGFA betrayed women and girls. The new amalgamated organisation has the opportunity to rectify this and show that they value female players as much as male.”
Danielle Loughrey of Gaels for Fair Play, a network of players, managers, coaches, volunteers and parents which says it is “seeking fairness” for women and girls in Gaelic Games, said that for girls, fairness is the assurance that they are given the same opportunities as boys to participate, excel, and receive recognition.
“Safety refers not only to protection from physical harm but also from emotional, psychological, and social injury. It demands environments free from harassment, abuse, bullying, and neglect. The effects of unfairness and unsafe environments are profound,” Ms Loughrey, who plays football for Buncranna GAA and is also the PRO for the Donegal County Board, said.
“With the UK Supreme Court ruling likely being implemented across Northern Ireland, you could have a situation where males are allowed to play on female teams in three out of nine counties in Ulster,” Ms Loughrey added.
“This will cause chaos in competitions like blitzes, Féile, club and intercounty championships and schools’ competitions. It is unworkable. The only way forward is to have an all-island approach that allows only those born female to enter LGFA, Camogie, and women’s handball.”
Ms. Nic Lochlainn of The Countess said: “The amalgamation of the three Gaelic games organizations represents an opportunity to re-introduce fairness and safety for women and girls in Ladies Football and Camogie. We are aware of boys and men playing across the country at various age groups in LGFA. In some cases, injuries have been caused. The female codes must be protected. This means trans-identified males must be made welcome in the male codes of Gaelic football, hurling, and handball.”
“Nationally and internationally, policies that allow men into women’s sport are being rolled back because evidence is mounting that it is unfair and unsafe. There is no known mechanism to undo male athletic advantage.
“No hormone suppression or surgery can turn a male into a female. Thus, the female category must exclude all males. We at the Countess, along with our colleagues in Gaels for Fair Play, are urging the GAA to listen to women and girls and protect the female codes.”