France snubs World Rugby's guidance to allow transgender women to play in all domestic competitions
The French rugby federation will let transgender people take part in all domestic competitions from next season.
The
move goes against guidance from World Rugby, which last year
recommended that transgender women should not play in women's elite or
international teams for safety reasons
.
However, the governing body's guidelines were recommendations only
and are not binding on national unions in their domestic competitions.
Resisting
official advice, the French federation issued a statement saying its
executive board unanimously voted in favour of the proposal from its
Anti-Discrimination and Equal Treatment Commission.
"Rugby is an
inclusive, sharing sport, without distinction of sex, gender, origin or
religion," said Serge Simon, the vice-president of the French rugby
federation.
"It is important to allow all our members to practise their passion while respecting everyone's rights."
Two years ahead of the World Cup in France, the French federation
added that the vote sends a "benevolent and resolute signal that respect
for minorities is an irrefutable right in our sport".
It confirmed that transgender people "physically reassigned and
recognised in their current gender" can play in all its official
competitions.
People transitioning to their new sexual identity
will need to provide proof their civil record has changed, the
federation said.
Transgender people transitioning from male to
female should also demonstrate that they have been undergoing hormonal
treatment for at least 12 months.
