Boris Johnson said there was a difference between being a woman and a trans woman, and that someone “can’t be born with a penis without being a man.”
The prime minister reaffirmed his support for FINA’s ban on transgender athletes who have gone through male puberty from participating in women’s competitions.
The International Swimming Federation has announced that it is changing its policies so that transgender women can compete in the organization’s women’s competitions only if they have completed their transition by the age of 12.
Instead, an “open category” will be created for transgender athletes to compete against each other in events, including the World Water Sports Championships, the World Swimming Championships and the World Swimming Cup.
The decision will mean that 23-year-old American trans swimmer Leah Thomas will not be able to compete against women after breaking records and sparking a heated debate over whether transattlers should be allowed to compete or not.
Culture Secretary Nadine Doris will meet with leaders of other sports organizations on Tuesday to make it “crystal clear” that she wants them to follow suit.
Asked about the FINA ban, Mr Johnson said: “I have not studied it in detail, but I see no reason to oppose it.”
The Prime Minister reaffirmed his support for the FINA swimming body’s bar for transgender athletes who have gone through male puberty from competitions to women’s competitions. Pictured during the G-7 summit in Ellmau Castle, southern Germany
After summarizing his policy, he added: “This follows from what has been said before.”
Mr Johnson was also asked if a woman could be born with a penis, amid a debate in some circles about anatomy and gender.
“Not without being a man, this is my opinion on this,” the prime minister replied.
Speaking to reporters traveling with him during his visit to Rwanda, he was asked if he thought there was a difference between being a woman and a trans woman.
After stopping to think, he said, “Yes.”
He added: “Look, it is very, very important as a society to be as understanding as possible of everyone else. I have always advocated this.
“As you begin to move from issues of sexuality to issues of gender, you begin to raise specific issues.
The decision will mean that American trans swimmer Leah Thomas (pictured), 23, will not be able to compete against women after breaking records and sparking a fierce debate over whether transatlets should be allowed to compete or not.
“I think I talked about three worries I’ve had in the past. They are related to the age at which you can (become) Gilik competent for transition, the issue of safe spaces for women and the difficulties you have in sports competitions.
“All of these are very difficult problems and you have to be very, very sensitive.”
The LGBT charity Stonewall criticized the line of questioning, suggesting that the prime minister would hail it as a “distraction” from the political turmoil.
Associate Campaign Director Sasha Misra said: “The real question that needs to be on the lips of the nation is this: at a time when we are living through many national crises, why are journalists wasting valuable time interviewing by asking leading questions to the Prime Minister about a small, vulnerable minority?
“We know that the majority of the public feels supportive and compassionate towards the trans people who are their family, friends and neighbors.
Culture Secretary Nadine Doris will meet with leaders of other sports organizations on Tuesday to make it “crystal clear” that she wants them to follow suit.
Labor leader Sir Keira Starmer has in the past refused to give a definitive answer to the question of the penis
“All that is achieved with this kind of media coverage is that trans people feel less secure in their daily lives and the public has less opportunity to hear from the government about the urgent political issues of the day.
“The Prime Minister can welcome the distraction, but he should not be deceived into thinking that the points for talks against transfers will win votes.”
Some interpret the Conservatives’ move to intensify the debate over trans rights as a way to widen the division on the subject in the Labor Party.
Labor leader Sir Keira Starmer has in the past refused to give a definitive answer to the question of the penis.
Instead, he said, “I don’t think discussing this issue in this way helps anyone in the long run.”
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