@guineapig ima move this here so it’s less hijacky.
Mine also, but with less information so less valid in that respect.
I recall reading one of Janae Kroc’s first interviews post transition and if I recall she unequivocally stated that she would never compete in a strength sport as she would have too great an advantage.
My very, very basic and limited understanding of the situation is that the MtF transition does not mandate hormonal treatment. The individual may opt to take the treatment to maximise their transformation, but is not required to do so to identify as female. So theoretically I could identify as female and compete SHW. So there’s that.
Also, the hormone therapy would not remove all muscle mass or neural efficiency, only reduce it. I would assume (so could be very wrong) that training during hormone therapy would mitigate this loss of muscle and neural effiency to some degree.
Should either or both these suppositions hold even partially true, an MtF transitioned individual would have a significant advantage over non-transitioned females, unless they were using sufficient PEDs. This advantage would also most likely exist to an extent even in an untested federation.
Somewhat ironically, the difficulties faced by trans individuals wishing to compete will delay the availability of data. One fairly obvious solution would be to create at least temporarily two trans divisions, MtF and FtM. I believe this is something RPS has either already done or is in the process of implementing.
Agreed. That onus of proof also in no way suggests those wishing to change the system are in the wrong as far as I understand it.
Because powerlifting is such a niche and above all unprofitable sport, there is little impetus for any group involved to change the rules. There are novice and unsanctioned meets that accept trans competitors, be it in a trans division or not. I suspect the federations will watch these closely to determine whether any significant number of trans competitors enter. If the numbers are small, which I strongly suspect will be the case, the feds will not waste their time and money accomodating trans competitors.