How To Talk About Women’s Sports with Confidence

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How To Talk About Women’s Sports with Confidence

Speak Plainly. Speak the Truth.

"Speak plainly, not cautiously. Big words don’t move people — emotions do. The most powerful thing you can do is state the truth clearly and confidently: men and women are different, and women’s sports must be for women. When you say it out loud, you give others permission to do the same."

— Jennifer Sey, Founder & CEO, XX-XY Athletics

 

Your Voice Matters

Real change happens when ordinary athletes speak the truth out loud—in locker rooms, coaches meetings, and everyday conversations.

Don't underestimate your voice.


In the Locker Room

 

When a Teammate Says:

"It's not a big deal—there's barely anyone this affects."

 

Here's the Truth

The numbers tell a different story:

  • 1,014+ documented male athletes competing in women's categories

  • 6,251 first-place finishes

  • 1,093+ awards won

  • 678+ records broken

When a male competes in a women's category, he doesn't just compete—he displaces women from teams, scholarships, podiums, and opportunities.


In a Coaches Meeting

 

When a Colleague Says:

"It's above our pay grade—we just follow what the governing body says."

 

Here's the Truth

Governing bodies set policies, but coaches shape culture.

Athletes are always watching. When leaders stay silent, silence is often interpreted as approval.

We can respect every athlete while also being clear that female categories exist for a reason.

 

When Asked to Roster a Male Athlete in the Women's Division

"How do I respond professionally?"

 

Here's What You Can Say

  • Request the policy in writing.

  • Express concern for fairness for all women on the team.

  • Document all communications.

  • Understand your legal protections and obligations.

Federal courts have increasingly upheld sex-based sports protections under Title IX.


In Public or Online

 

Keep your message short, factual, and grounded in care for women.

A simple place to start:

"I care about fairness for women. That's why I'm speaking up."

Say it calmly. Let others catch up.

 

When Someone Asks:

"Why does this even matter?"

Try:

"I support women's sports because women deserve fair competition. Fairness matters every time—not just sometimes."

 

When Another Parent Pushes Back:

"We should be inclusive."

Try:

"Inclusion for one group shouldn't erase fairness for another."

 

When Someone Says:

"You're being transphobic."

Try:

"I respect every person's dignity. This isn't about who someone is—it's about what's fair in sport. Categories exist in every sport: age, weight, and sex."

Or simply:

"I'm expressing compassion for women and girls."


Wear the Logo

When you wear XX-XY Athletics, you're doing more than wearing apparel.

You're signaling to others that they're not alone.

You're giving someone else permission to speak up.

Culture shifts when ordinary people speak the truth in ordinary places.


Core Truths: Say Them Plainly

These are simple, honest statements that move people.

Use them in conversation, on social media, or in writing.


Biology

 

Male Physical Advantages Are Real

Male physical advantages begin before birth.

At puberty, testosterone rises dramatically and permanently shapes:

  • Muscle mass

  • Bone density

  • Heart and lung capacity

  • Neuromuscular function

 

On average, adult males possess:

  • 36% more total muscle mass

  • Approximately 40% more upper-body muscle mass

 

No study has shown that hormone therapy completely eliminates male athletic advantage.


Fairness

 

Women's Sports Are for Women

Competitive sport is a zero-sum game.

Scholarships, roster spots, medals, and championships are limited opportunities.

When a male competes in a female category, women lose opportunities they earned.

Sports categories exist for a reason:

  • Age divisions

  • Weight classes

  • Sex-based categories

Without categories, competition loses meaning.

 

Biology Matters

A boy and a girl can train side-by-side and put in identical effort.

Biology—not work ethic—often determines the outcome.

Every athlete understands that training alone cannot overcome significant biological advantages.

 

A Question Worth Asking

Women are allowed to try out for the NBA.

Why don't they make NBA rosters?

The answer isn't effort.

It's biology.

 

Another Question Worth Asking

One instance of steroid use can result in disqualification because performance advantages matter.

Why should lasting biological advantages be treated differently?


Culture

 

Men and Women Are Different

That's not controversial.

It's the reason women's sports exist.

 

This Is Not a Fringe Position

Nearly 80% of Americans support maintaining sex-based sports categories.

That support includes a majority of Democrats.

 

Compassion Includes Women

I believe in dignity for everyone.

That includes protecting fair competition for women and girls.

Standing up for women is compassionate.


Biology Is Not Opinion

 

Dr. Georgi Marinov

Stanford Genetics Department

"The objective truth is that sex in humans is strictly binary and immutable."

 

Dr. Robert Winston

Biologist and Professor of Medicine

"You cannot change your sex. Your sex is there in every single cell in your body."

 

Dr. Richard Dawkins

Oxford University

"Race is a spectrum. Sex is pretty damn binary. This point really is childishly obvious."

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