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Nov 20

Training to be a powerlifter while trans can have real ramifications – ABC News

Testosterone Comments Off on Training to be a powerlifter while trans can have real ramifications – ABC News

Posted November 20, 2019 07:07:55

It's nerve-wracking for any athlete to compete in their first competition, but for Beau Driscoll, the path to get there hasn't been easy.

Before he transitioned from female to male in 2016, team sports had been a big part of his life.

But when he began taking hormones, Mr Driscoll said he didn't feel there was space for him on any team.

Seven months ago he began powerlifting to lose weight he's lost 25 kilos and in January will participate in his first sanctioned powerlifting meet with GPC (Global Powerlifting Committee) Australia.

"It's a non-tested federation, so what that means is people can take performance-enhancing drugs and be able to compete because they don't do testing," Mr Driscoll said.

It's an important aspect for Mr Driscoll, as not every powerlifting federation is open to, or accepting of, trans powerlifters.

Mr Driscoll needs to take the hormone as part of his transition, but it is banned under tested powerlifting competitions because it's considered performance-enhancing, even for someone who is trans.

Although many powerlifting federations acknowledged athletes could be trans, many still didn't allow them to compete while taking hormones, the 28-year-old said.

"You can compete as the gender you identify as, but you can't be on hormones," he said.

"It's sort of invalidating in that sense, that 'yes, you can be who you want, we acknowledge that you're that, but you can't be on hormones'.

"Personally, I don't think it's fair."

He credits testosterone with helping him to feel more like himself.

"I'll get hair growth, my voice deepens and, as you can see, I look masculine.

"Before my transition, I didn't know who I was, it was a very uneasy ground for me, and then I started hormones in 2016 and I just feel so confident in who I am."

And he is adamant that it doesn't give him an advantage over his competitors.

"I have 1,000 milligrams of testosterone every seven weeks, and that puts my testosterone levels at the same as a cisgendered male who is not on any [performance-enhancing drugs].

"I'm at no advantage whatsoever."

Mr Driscoll has found support from people within his federation.

His friend, powerlifter Niki Hart, said she had seen him mature in the sport.

"I feel like a proud gym mum," she said.

"When I see his working sets, when I see what he puts on the internet, I'm very proud of him and what he's done. His dedication is incredible."

She too has noticed barriers facing people like Mr Driscoll.

"There's some little loopholes that mean some organisations can discriminate against trans people ... that needs to change involvement in sport is a human right."

Fellow powerlifter Jake Hawker said it was important for sport to foster equal opportunity.

"I'm all for competing against people who are trans who want to be powerlifters, I think it's a great idea it's all about giving everyone the opportunity to compete."

Topics:lgbt,sexuality,people,powerlifting,community-and-society,human-interest,sport,carrum-downs-3201,cranbourne-3977,somerville-3912

Originally posted here:
Training to be a powerlifter while trans can have real ramifications - ABC News

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