A biologically male dancer has won a medal which otherwise would have gone to a female competitor at the World Irish Dancing Championships which was held in Glasgow, Scotland.
Alyssa Saltzman, who is biologically male, beat female dancer Ava Rose Folan by coming in at number 20 in a competition where the top 20 competitors receive a medal.
Ava Rose placed 21st meaning she did not receive a medal.
The result has led to significant criticism online with many saying that the parents of the girls competing should not have accepted a male dancer in their ranks.
“This is what happens when people are afraid to speak up. It’s not going to stop until people say stop!” said one X user.
“The parents of all the girls competing are to blame. No use crying after the fact when they should have stood up for their daughters. Refuse to compete or shut up and accept it.” said another.
Another X user described the result as “Shameful” saying that another female is “missing out on her due recognition,”.
“More parents need to come together especially of team sports like football, hockey, cricket, lacrosse & say no, we want safe sport for our daughters.” said another.
“All the best women, are men” said another.
Slatzmen competed in the male category of the 2013 Oireachtas Rince na Cruinne which was held in Montreal.
In a statement issued to Teen Vogue, An Coimisiún Le Rincí Gaelacha ACRG (The Irish Dancing Commission) said it’s policy was to provide “a safe and inclusive environment for every dancer in our community,”
A statement made by P.J. McCafferty (ACRG) Regional Director of the Irish Dance Teachers’ Association – Southern Region (US & Mexico) said that “Entering and competing in the CLRG World Championship competition that corresponds to the gender identity of the dancer is an established CLRG precedent, it has been done before. A dancer must qualify for the specific World Championship competition in which they will dance. CLRG controls Oireachtas Rince na Cruinne and the process of qualifying to compete for the CLRG World Championship.”
Gript contacted An Coimisiún Le Rincí Gaelacha to enquire about their policy of allowing biological males to compete in female-only categories and received the following response:
“CLRG is committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment for every dancer in our community. Dancers enter competitions that align with their gender identity, dancing and competing as the gender they identify as in their daily life.”
“A motion seeking to enforce dancers to compete in the competition that corresponds to their biological sex was recently defeated by a CLRG Membership vote.”
“A formal CLRG Inclusivity, Equality and Diversity policy is currently under review and will be presented to Members and voted on in May.”
“The goal is to provide a clear and robust IED policy that will help guide Members and Teachers in maintaining a welcoming dance community for all, where Irish dance can be celebrated.”