Thousands Support Trans Girl Who Won Irish Dance Contest

When a trans girl won her regional Irish dancing competition, she faced immediate backlash and criticism from right-wing transphobes. Now, thousands of people have signed a petition in support of transgender practitioners of Irish dance.

In November, a trans girl (whose parents have requested she remain unnamed) placed first in her age group for a regional competition, qualifying her for the Irish Dancing World Championships. Conservatives were quick to react, with news outlets such as the Daily Wire claiming this is proof that trans women have “physical advantages” over their cis counterparts. A group known as the Concerned Irish Dance Teachers Adjudicators Parents and Dancers published a petition asking that trans competitors be placed in a separate category for fairness.

This is nothing new. Transgender people, and especially trans women, have become a subject of major controversy as they have been banned or segregated out of dozens of sports. Swimming, cycling, and more have evolved into bizarre debates which are directly contradicted by extensive research which shows that trans people have no distinct physical or mental advantage over cis people. Even the International Chess Federation temporarily banned trans women from competing in women’s events.

Thankfully, in the case of this young dancer (who competed in the age group for those 14 and under), backlash did no go uncontested. P.J. McCafferty, southern regional director for the Irish Dance Teachers Association of North America, reminded teachers of the commission’s policy on trans dancers, saying, “We advocate for every one of our dancers. We do our very best to be fair to everyone.” And fellow dancer Gabrielle Siegel started a counter petition in support of all transgender Irish dancers. The petition commends the Irish Dancing Commission (CLRG) on their trans-inclusive competition policies, and notes that competitors are judged “based on a wide range of factors … none of which are affected by assigned birth sex.” At the time of writing, the petition has accrued over 5,000 signatures.