Lucy Zelic accuses Australian sporting bodies of bowing to gender ideology -after US transgender swimmer Lia Thomas was denied women’s spot ahead of Paris Olympics
Prominent journalist Lucy Zelic has accused numerous Australian sporting organizations of bowing to gender ideology. She firmly believes that allowing trans athletes to compete against them does not protect female stars.
In an interview with Sky News Australia’s Chris Kenny, Zelic slammed the likes of Sports Australia and Football Australia, whom she contacted directly for comment on the divisive issue.
Zelic believes there is blatant disregard for female athletes at both state and national levels in sports such as football – before accusing the respective governing bodies of ‘ignoring the truth’ and ‘biological facts that are very deeply rooted in the science’.
Sports Australia CEO Kieren Perkins was also in Zelic’s crosshairs after the Olympic gold medalist previously labeled individuals who have concerns about women’s sports as “bigots”.
“You don’t have to be a doctor, scientist or sports administrator to recognize that these (sex) differences exist,” Zelic said.
Prominent journalist Lucy Zelic has accused numerous Australian sporting organizations of bowing to gender ideology. She believes female stars are not protected by allowing trans athletes to compete against them.
In an interview with Sky News Australia’s Chris Kenny, Zelic criticized players such as Sports Australia and Football Australia (Sports Australia CEO Kieren Perkins is pictured, right)
“The fact that organizations are very quickly and very quickly bending the knee to this gender ideology and not putting their female participants at the forefront of their decisions has in many ways been a perversion of justice.
“Kieren Perkins, CEO of Sport Australia, has been so disappointing in terms of the position on this and the position on this, he ultimately said, that anyone who basically comes out about this can be attributed to a fanatic. ‘
Zelic wasn’t done voicing her concerns that the growing number of biological males in women’s sports worldwide is “creating a huge problem.”
She also referenced Sydney-based Flying Bats FC, which courted controversy in March after winning a football tournament with “five trans-identified men on their team”.
Flying Bats club president Jennifer Peden previously told Ny Breaking Australia: ‘We stand strongly for inclusivity and pride ourselves on providing a safe, respectful and supportive community for LGBTQIA+ players… and champion the significant physical, social and mental health benefits that participation in sports brings especially to marginalized members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
‘We are [also] a club that values our cisgender and transgender players equally.
‘Trans women belong in the women’s competition [in Sydney’s north-west] because that is the gender they identify with.”
Sydney-based football team Flying Bats (pictured) courted controversy in March after winning a match while fielding five trans players
Their opponents this season in Sydney’s northwest were told teams who forfeited games against them would be punished for discrimination
Lucy Zelic’s powerful words come after transgender swimmer Lia Thomas (pictured) was denied a spot on the US women’s team ahead of the Paris Olympics next month
Meanwhile, Football Australia responded to Zelic’s concerns this week, stating they “recognize the importance of the issue surrounding our gender diversity policy.”
“We are about to begin a thorough consultation process to ensure we approach this issue thoughtfully and comprehensively,” their statement said.
‘We believe it is crucial to work with the right experts and to seek advice from specialists in the field of sports science, sports medicine and top performance.
“Our goal is to achieve a fair and reasonable outcome that respects the diverse perspectives within our community.”
Zelic branded Football Australia’s statement as “hollow and weak”, before adding the response as “a tick” when it comes to the governing body’s position on the matter.
Her strong words come after transgender swimmer Lia Thomas was denied a spot on the US women’s team ahead of the Paris Olympics next month.
Thomas, 25, had asked the Court of Arbitration for Sport to overturn a ban on biological males competing against females in the hope of racing at the Games, but lost her appeal.
The outcome was celebrated by, among others, American swimmer Riley Gaines, who was outspoken in her criticism of Thomas.
World Aquatics also praised the ruling that prevented Thomas from competing in the Paris Games, calling the decision “a major step forward in our efforts to protect women’s sport.”