Soccer

Aussie Trannie Wins Right to Play

By Cyd Zeigler jr.

The Tasmanian women's soccer league decided on Wednesday, June 21, to allow male-to-female transsexual Martine Delaney, formerly Martin Delaney, to continue to play in the league. The decision came after several clubs in Soccer Tasmania requested clarification as to whether Delaney could play in the women's league.

As Martin, Delaney was a star player in the top men's division from the '70s to the '90s. Given the player's excellence as a man, and her large frame, many were concerned that it was unfair that Delaney, now two years after sex-reassignment surgery, should be able to play in the women's league. Football Federation Australia, the nation's highest soccer governing body, ruled that its bylaws banned discrimination on the basis of any "attribute", and that included transgender people.

"It clarifies to the whole range of sporting organizations that you cannot bar someone from competition on the basis of their gender identification," the 47-year-old Delaney said after the ruling, The Australian reported.

Delaney has had an on-field impact on her team, Claremont United. She has scored six goals on the season and has been a key component of some of the team's victories. One of the latest teams to join the objection had been South Hobart, which was recently thrashed by Claremont United when Delaney scored two goals and set up two more, according to The Mercury.

This is the latest in a recent flurry of steps transgender people have taken in being recognized as female in sporting competitions. Individual sports have seemed to lead the way. After a legal tussle in the 1970s, pro tennis allowed male-to-female transsexual Renee Richards to play in the women's tour. Golf has been making strides recently as well, and the United States Golf Association announced in March that it would welcome male-to-female transsexuals on the women's tour.

In fact, it was the story of Mianne Bagger, the transgender Australian golfer who pushed golf tours around the world to allow male-to-female transsexuals to play on their women's tours, that inspired Delaney to return to soccer.

National and international bodies are also opening the doors to transgender athletes. In 2004, the International Olympic Committee opened the door for male-to-female transsexuals to participate in women's sports. And in April of this year, the NCAA announced that it was drawing up a proposal to allow transgender athletes to play in women's sports; they hope to have a resolution passed by the end of 2005.