U of L professor resigns from board of governors over Fairness and Safety in Sport Act

Some in Lethbridge are speaking out on provincial legislation aimed at keeping trans women and girls out of female sport, calling the policy unfair.

Female athletes will need to provide extra documentation if they want to play in female-only sports.

Anyone older than 12 will need to prove they were born female as part of the UCP government’s revised Fairness and Safety in Sport Act.

The policy has attracted a number of opponents, even prompting one University of Lethbridge professor to resign from the board of governors.

“While you can speak against things on the board, after the meeting is done, you’re required to support any decision that’s rendered. And I simply could not stand and support this decision; I feel that is wrong,” said U of L geography professor and former board of governors member Craig Coburn.

Coburn says he’s taking a stand to protect the fundamental human rights of students.

The aim of the act is to keep transgender girls and women out of female sport because of their potential physical advantage.

Sport and Tourism Minister Andrew Boitchenko said, “When Albertans participate in the sports they love, they should be able to do so on a level playing field. No athlete should have an unfair advantage, and no athlete should have to put themselves at risk of harm to participate.”

Coburn says he can’t support that mandate, calling it discriminatory.

He’s also encouraging other faculty to stand with the students.

“I think it is against females in general, and it targets trans females specifically. To my mind, this would be against the Alberta Human Rights Act,” Coburn said.

The U of L has implemented a policy in line with provincial guidelines on an interim basis until Oct. 10.

This will allow the policy to be reviewed and altered if need be.

In a statement, the university said, “We recognize this legislation has caused concern across our institution, particularly within and for the LGBTQ2+ community. These are valued members of our university, and we are working hard to ensure the University of Lethbridge remains a welcoming and inclusive place for all.”

There are also concerns over how this policy will affect non-transgender female athletes.

It could open the doors for extra scrutiny or create issues for athletes who lack proper documentation.

“There’s a long history of harassment of women in sports. And of devaluing women in sports. And I think there’s something to be said about even the division of sports into men’s and women’s leagues,” said Lethbridge Pride Fest Society chair Timothy Schwinghamer.