I am not a specialist in this question, whether trans-women has inherit advantages, so I asked ChatGPT4. This is what I got:
The question of whether a transgender woman (male-to-female, transitioning after puberty) who has been on hormone therapy for four years has physical advantages is complex and can be addressed from multiple perspectives: biological, physiological, and in the context of sports performance.
Biological and Physiological Perspective:
Skeletal Structure: Post-puberty, individuals assigned male at birth typically have larger bone structure, greater bone density, and different muscle-to-fat ratios compared to those assigned female at birth. Hormone therapy, even after several years, does not significantly alter bone structure. The potential advantage here could be in terms of leverage, strength, or mechanical efficiency. However, quantifying this advantage is challenging and varies significantly among individuals.
Muscle Mass and Strength: Testosterone is a key factor in muscle development. Hormone therapy reduces testosterone levels, leading to a decrease in muscle mass and strength. Studies suggest a significant reduction in muscle mass and strength within the first year of hormone therapy, with continued but slower reductions over subsequent years. The extent of reduction can vary, but it’s reasonable to estimate that after four years of hormone therapy, a trans woman might retain some muscular advantages associated with male puberty, although significantly reduced.
Cardiovascular and Respiratory System: Male puberty enhances the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood and lung capacity. Hormone therapy may not completely reverse these changes. This could impart some advantage in endurance-based activities.
… (the rest is not relevant)
While I clearly would not support the language Boebert using, it looks to me that trans women do have advantages, which in sports, where fairness is one of the most important principles, may be considered unfair to the rest of women competitors. While I am strong supporter of transgender rights in general, I think that fairness in sports is something we need to consider too, and do not immediately call people transphobic if they are against participation of trans-women in women sports.
I am not a specialist in this question, whether trans-women has inherit advantages, so I asked ChatGPT4. This is what I got:
The question of whether a transgender woman (male-to-female, transitioning after puberty) who has been on hormone therapy for four years has physical advantages is complex and can be addressed from multiple perspectives: biological, physiological, and in the context of sports performance.
Biological and Physiological Perspective:
… (the rest is not relevant)
While I clearly would not support the language Boebert using, it looks to me that trans women do have advantages, which in sports, where fairness is one of the most important principles, may be considered unfair to the rest of women competitors. While I am strong supporter of transgender rights in general, I think that fairness in sports is something we need to consider too, and do not immediately call people transphobic if they are against participation of trans-women in women sports.
Have you read that? The last time I saw that many hedges I was through the looking glass.