UK Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer is pressing for changes to the inclusion of transgender athletes in elite women’s sports. She is urging governing bodies, such as the Football Association and the England and Wales Cricket Board, to align their policies with sports that prohibit transgender athletes from competing in female categories at the elite level due to concerns about biological advantages.

This initiative follows the Cass Review’s findings, which underscored the need for decisive action to ensure fairness in women’s sports. Frazer has highlighted examples from cycling and running, where separate categories have been created for transgender athletes with a birth sex of male.

The debate intensified following a ban on transgender women from international female cricket competitions, bringing attention to the varying policies across sports disciplines. The Culture Secretary’s stance calls for clarity and consistency in sports regulations to maintain a level playing field and support the development of aspiring female athletes. The discussions continue as sports bodies and stakeholders evaluate their policies amidst ongoing controversies and legal challenges, such as that from transgender swimmer Lia Thomas.