London Marathon Upholds Trans Inclusivity Despite Supreme Court Ruling

[Social Media]

 

London Marathon Upholds Trans Inclusivity Amid Legal Uncertainty and X Boycott

 

The London Marathon will allow transgender women to compete in the mass participation race as females this weekend, even in the wake of a recent Supreme Court ruling that declared sex to be binary. Race director Hugh Brasher confirmed the decision, stating that participants will still be able to self-identify as male, female, or non-binary, regardless of their birth sex.

 

 

Brasher emphasized that the marathon will continue to follow the legal framework as it develops, but until more clarity is provided, the current policy will remain in place. “We obviously will meet what the law says. But... there has to be that detail coming out of that commission and out of Sport England,” he said, referring to pending reports from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) and Sport England that could shape future decisions.

 

 

Pressed on what the marathon’s position would be if the EHRC deemed it legal, but not mandatory, to bar trans women from self-identifying as female, Brasher responded, “Look, it’s really difficult to predict what we would do. I’ve gone through loads of different scenario planning since the court delivered its verdict. But, honestly, we have to wait until the commission gives its report, until Sport England do. Because, otherwise, we’re just going on to what ifs, what ifs, what ifs. And yes, we plan an awful lot of things, and we can manoeuvre, but we want to wait for that report and then take a considered decision.”

 

While transgender women can participate in the mass race as females, Brasher reiterated that only those assigned female at birth are eligible for the elite, championship, and good-for-age women’s events. The policy reflects a balance between inclusivity and fairness in competition. “We delight in being both inclusive but also protecting in-competition the rights of women, which is incredibly important,” he said. “Seb Coe, Lord Coe, and World Athletics have always led on that, and we absolutely look to continue doing that.”

 

The marathon faced controversy two years ago when Glenique Frank, from Daventry, ran as a woman just months after competing as a man in the New York Marathon. Frank later apologized and urged race organizers to consider introducing a separate transgender category. Reflecting on the event’s ethos, Brasher said, “The London Marathon is about positivity.”

 

In a separate but equally significant decision, London Marathon Events announced a boycott of Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, formerly known as Twitter. Despite maintaining a presence on the platform through its dormant @LondonMarathon account, the organization has ceased posting since January 17. “There are some social media channels that are particularly vitriolic and are descending into a gutter,” Brasher said. “And as a result of that, London Marathon Events have actually come off one of those channels, as a result of where we believe that channel has descended to.”

 

Confirming that he was referring to X, Brasher added, “It is off the back of just looking at that channel and the vitriol. It was ceasing to be a rational conversation. It was ceasing to be a positive place to be. The London Marathon is about positivity.”

 

Elon Musk, a vocal advocate for free speech and a staunch critic of what he views as censorship in the UK, has often spoken out against the inclusion of transgender women in female sports. However, Brasher was clear that the marathon would continue to prioritize inclusivity and community spirit.

 

“One of the aims of my father and John Disley was to show that, on occasion, the family of humankind could be joyous together and celebrate together. That’s what the London Marathon is about. It is a force for good. And we didn’t feel that channel shared those values, and therefore we have come off that channel,” he said.

 

Related Topics:

Starmer U-turns on Gender Identity Following Supreme Court Ruling

UK Supreme Court Rules ‘Woman’ Means Biological Female, in Landmark Decision

Supreme Court Ruling Sparks Protests Wave of Threats and Backlash Amid Gender Rights Debate

 

 

  Adpated by ASEAN Now from The Telegraph  2025-04-25

 

 

[Dionigi]

Allowing transgender people to compete is inclusivity. Allowing them to compete against natal women is discrimnation. Give them a class of their own, trans females in one class and trans males in another.

[JonnyF]

5 minutes ago, Dionigi said:

Give them a class of their own, trans females in one class and trans males in another.

 

I don't see the point.

 

What next? A class for gay people? Lesbians? Bisexuals?

 

Just let them run against their biological equivalent. If they want to wear a dress and a rainbow headband, no problem. 

 

There is a reason for this law. Otherwise we end up with the ridiculous spectacle of 2 blokes competing in the womens pool final. 

 

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/othersports/article-14577879/Piers-Morgan-leads-outrage-two-transgender-players-contest-final-womens-pool-competition-Sharron-Davies-labels-event-grossly-wrong-way.html

 

 

[KannikaP]

3 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

Otherwise we end up with the ridiculous spectacle of 2 blokes competing in the womens pool final. 

Pool, or snooker, or darts etc, are not physical 'sports' so a woman or man is equal, be they normal or trans. 

[Chomper Higgot]

1 hour ago, Social Media said:

Brasher emphasized that the marathon will continue to follow the legal framework as it develops, but until more clarity is provided, the current policy will remain in place. “We obviously will meet what the law says. But... there has to be that detail coming out of that commission and out of Sport England,” he said, referring to pending reports from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) and Sport England that could shape future decisions.

Obviously the sensible approach.

 

[JonnyF]

6 minutes ago, KannikaP said:

Pool, or snooker, or darts etc, are not physical 'sports' so a woman or man is equal, be they normal or trans. 

 

They are not equal. There is more to sports than physical strength.

 

There is the psychological element to sport which is huge. Also spatial awareness. Hand-eye co-ordination etc.

 

That's why men overall beat women at non physical sports as well as physical.

[JonnyF]

4 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Obviously the sensible approach.

 

 

The law as it stands now is perfectly.

 

Flouting it because you await future potential rulings that may or may not go your way is not a sensible approach.

[Chomper Higgot]

33 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

The law as it stands now is perfectly.

 

Flouting it because you await future potential rulings that may or may not go your way is not a sensible approach.

London Marathon are not awaiting future rulings, they are awaiting.

 

The Supreme Court Ruling does not provide the new law or regulations.

 

 

[seajae]

Males acting like females isnt the problem, I have known a few over the years and they were really great people,  its the ones that claim they are women that cause the problems, men should never be allowed to enter female events claiming they are a woman but as in this case running while looking like women is fine as long as they can only place in the males side unless a non binary/trans  section is added into the competition for them to compete in. If trans people want to enter events they should have their own category so only real females compete against other real females and trans people compete against other  trans people only, thjis is the only fair way to do it.

[renaissanc]

1 hour ago, Dionigi said:

Allowing transgender people to compete is inclusivity. Allowing them to compete against natal women is discrimnation. Give them a class of their own, trans females in one class and trans males in another.

It's a good idea. But ... you can be sure that 101 Rights Groups would demonstrate while screaming to Heaven on high to oppose it. "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Burn down the Marathon! Invade the race course!" Etc. Usual stuff.

[Baht Simpson]

42 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

Also spatial awareness. Hand-eye co-ordination etc.

Biological females (sic) compete in the professional snooker, probably the sport most dependent on hand-eye co-ordination. 

 

Moreover biological females can compete in F1, without doubt the most physically demanding of all sports with massive G forces. 

 

 

 

[JonnyF]

1 minute ago, Baht Simpson said:

Biological females (sic) compete in the professional snooker, probably the sport most dependent on hand-eye co-ordination. 

 

Moreover biological females can compete in F1, without doubt the most physically demanding of all sports with massive G forces. 

 

 

 

 

Compete?

 

I think you mean "participate".

 

[Harrisfan]

1 hour ago, JonnyF said:

 

I don't see the point.

 

What next? A class for gay people? Lesbians? Bisexuals?

 

Just let them run against their biological equivalent. If they want to wear a dress and a rainbow headband, no problem. 

 

There is a reason for this law. Otherwise we end up with the ridiculous spectacle of 2 blokes competing in the womens pool final. 

 

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/othersports/article-14577879/Piers-Morgan-leads-outrage-two-transgender-players-contest-final-womens-pool-competition-Sharron-Davies-labels-event-grossly-wrong-way.html

 

 

How about fat people? 150kg+ events

[JonnyF]

6 minutes ago, Harrisfan said:

How about fat people? 150kg+ events

 

I think Sumo wrestling takes care of that. 

[Baht Simpson]

6 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

Compete?

 

I think you mean "participate".

 

I know what I mean. 

 

There have been women drivers competing in F1 since the 50s. They have had limited success because it has not been seen as a sport for women, so they haven't had the sponsorship needed but there is no reason why they can't rival the men in the future. 

 

Similarly in snooker women compete on an equal basis and a Thai player has recently achieved the highest score of 147. No lack of co-ordination there. 

 

I'm curious, are you opposed to biological women competing in men's sports?

 

 

[JonnyF]

1 minute ago, Baht Simpson said:

I know what I mean. 

 

There have been women drivers competing in F1 since the 50s. They have had limited success because it has not been seen as a sport for women, so they haven't had the sponsorship needed but there is no reason why they can't rival the men in the future. 

 

They can't get sponsorship because they are not fast enough. 

 

1 minute ago, Baht Simpson said:

 

Similarly in snooker women compete on an equal basis and a Thai player has recently achieved the highest score of 147. No lack of co-ordination there. 

 

Impressive for a woman, but that wasn't even in competition.

 

Jackson Page just made 2 147s in the same match.

 

Ronnie O'Sullivan has 15 in competitons, including one in just over 5 minutes. 

 

Not even close to the same level. 

 

1 minute ago, Baht Simpson said:

 

I'm curious, are you opposed to biological women competing in men's sports?

 

 

 

Yes. Allowing women to participate just lowers the standard, it's a gimmick for the Woke lobby to salivate over and opens the door for men to compete in and ultimately dominate Women's sport. The categories exist for a reason and should remain separate. 

[wombat]

give them their own platform...its a money maker waiting to happen

[jippytum]

Don't see the problem if men want to run as woman in a marathon and vice versa. 

Only don't provide special facilities like special toilets for them. 

[jesimps]

3 hours ago, Social Media said:

 

London Marathon Upholds Trans Inclusivity Amid Legal Uncertainty and X Boycott

 

The London Marathon will allow transgender women to compete in the mass participation race as females this weekend, even in the wake of a recent Supreme Court ruling that declared sex to be binary. Race director Hugh Brasher confirmed the decision, stating that participants will still be able to self-identify as male, female, or non-binary, regardless of their birth sex.

 

 

Brasher emphasized that the marathon will continue to follow the legal framework as it develops, but until more clarity is provided, the current policy will remain in place. “We obviously will meet what the law says. But... there has to be that detail coming out of that commission and out of Sport England,” he said, referring to pending reports from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) and Sport England that could shape future decisions.

 

 

Pressed on what the marathon’s position would be if the EHRC deemed it legal, but not mandatory, to bar trans women from self-identifying as female, Brasher responded, “Look, it’s really difficult to predict what we would do. I’ve gone through loads of different scenario planning since the court delivered its verdict. But, honestly, we have to wait until the commission gives its report, until Sport England do. Because, otherwise, we’re just going on to what ifs, what ifs, what ifs. And yes, we plan an awful lot of things, and we can manoeuvre, but we want to wait for that report and then take a considered decision.”

 

While transgender women can participate in the mass race as females, Brasher reiterated that only those assigned female at birth are eligible for the elite, championship, and good-for-age women’s events. The policy reflects a balance between inclusivity and fairness in competition. “We delight in being both inclusive but also protecting in-competition the rights of women, which is incredibly important,” he said. “Seb Coe, Lord Coe, and World Athletics have always led on that, and we absolutely look to continue doing that.”

 

The marathon faced controversy two years ago when Glenique Frank, from Daventry, ran as a woman just months after competing as a man in the New York Marathon. Frank later apologized and urged race organizers to consider introducing a separate transgender category. Reflecting on the event’s ethos, Brasher said, “The London Marathon is about positivity.”

 

In a separate but equally significant decision, London Marathon Events announced a boycott of Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, formerly known as Twitter. Despite maintaining a presence on the platform through its dormant @LondonMarathon account, the organization has ceased posting since January 17. “There are some social media channels that are particularly vitriolic and are descending into a gutter,” Brasher said. “And as a result of that, London Marathon Events have actually come off one of those channels, as a result of where we believe that channel has descended to.”

 

Confirming that he was referring to X, Brasher added, “It is off the back of just looking at that channel and the vitriol. It was ceasing to be a rational conversation. It was ceasing to be a positive place to be. The London Marathon is about positivity.”

 

Elon Musk, a vocal advocate for free speech and a staunch critic of what he views as censorship in the UK, has often spoken out against the inclusion of transgender women in female sports. However, Brasher was clear that the marathon would continue to prioritize inclusivity and community spirit.

 

“One of the aims of my father and John Disley was to show that, on occasion, the family of humankind could be joyous together and celebrate together. That’s what the London Marathon is about. It is a force for good. And we didn’t feel that channel shared those values, and therefore we have come off that channel,” he said.

 

Related Topics:

Starmer U-turns on Gender Identity Following Supreme Court Ruling

UK Supreme Court Rules ‘Woman’ Means Biological Female, in Landmark Decision

Supreme Court Ruling Sparks Protests Wave of Threats and Backlash Amid Gender Rights Debate

 

 

  Adpated by ASEAN Now from The Telegraph  2025-04-25

 

 

"Until more clarity is provided". I'll help him with clarity, if HE has a penis he's a bloke, if SHE has a vagina she's a woman. There, all sorted. Easy peasy, why try to make it complicated?

[jesimps]

1 hour ago, KannikaP said:

Pool, or snooker, or darts etc, are not physical 'sports' so a woman or man is equal, be they normal or trans. 

Why then when the blokes are heavily outnumbered by women do you get two blokes in the final?

[Red Phoenix]

I will compete in next year's London Marathon.

I self-identify as a turtle and expect to be victorious in my category. 

...

[sungod]

2 hours ago, KannikaP said:

Pool, or snooker, or darts etc, are not physical 'sports' so a woman or man is equal, be they normal or trans. 

 

I'd be very happy for women to compete against men in pool , snooker, darts etc, on the condition they dont complain if they dont win.

[James105]

40 minutes ago, jippytum said:

Don't see the problem if men want to run as woman in a marathon and vice versa. 

Only don't provide special facilities like special toilets for them. 

 

Probably as you are not a woman and don't suffer the consequences.   If you were an elite female athlete and were competing for prize money I'm sure you would have a few grumbles if a mediocre male athlete decided he was a "woman with a penis" on that day and competed and won against you and claimed the prize money for himself.   

 

It's called cheating and most normal people don't like it.  

[KannikaP]

1 hour ago, jesimps said:

Why then when the blokes are heavily outnumbered by women do you get two blokes in the final?

When are men heavily outnumbered by women in either darts or snooker please?

[Chomper Higgot]

1 hour ago, James105 said:

 

Probably as you are not a woman and don't suffer the consequences.   If you were an elite female athlete and were competing for prize money I'm sure you would have a few grumbles if a mediocre male athlete decided he was a "woman with a penis" on that day and competed and won against you and claimed the prize money for himself.   

 

It's called cheating and most normal people don't like it.  

From the OP:

 

“While transgender women can participate in the mass race as females, Brasher reiterated that only those assigned female at birth are eligible for the elite, championship, and good-for-age women’s events.”

 

 

[JonnyF]

10 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

From the OP:

 

“While transgender women can participate in the mass race as females, Brasher reiterated that only those assigned female at birth are eligible for the elite, championship, and good-for-age women’s events.”

 

 

 

Makes you wonder why he doesn't just do it across the board if he recognizes the unfairness of it at other levels. 

 

Seems like he is throwing his toys out of the pram. They are quitting X as well.  😆

 

https://www.bbc.com/sport/athletics/articles/cwynx45gxglo

 

 

What a big girl's blouse. 😆

[James105]

4 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

From the OP:

 

“While transgender women can participate in the mass race as females, Brasher reiterated that only those assigned female at birth are eligible for the elite, championship, and good-for-age women’s events.”

 

Sounds like someone is supporting law breaking and despite (ridiculously) needing to be told what a female is by the highest of courts, is still a reality denier.    

 

1.  Females are not "assigned" a gender at birth as though the doctor/midwife cannot fathom what they are and randomly picks a gender from the available genders list, they observe the gender and record it.  

2.  Trans women are men so are participating as men, in much the same way as someone who dresses as a pirate or dinosaur in the marathon isn't really participating as a pirate or dinosaur, they are participating as human females or human males.   So long as the pirate doesn't steal from other participants and the humans pretending to be dinosaurs do not eat the other participants then there is no problem with this.   

 

So long as their time doesn't get recorded as a female and is recorded as what they are (male in the case of man dressed as woman) then this is no problem.   Lots of people wear fancy dress to the Marathon and if men want to dress as women for this as a costume then that is fine, as long as (should they need a toilet break) then they use the male toilets if they are a man dressed as a woman.   

[Chomper Higgot]

1 minute ago, JonnyF said:

 

Makes you wonder why he doesn't just do it across the board if he recognizes the unfairness of it at other levels. 

 

Seems like he is throwing his toys out of the pram. They are quitting X as well.  😆

 

https://www.bbc.com/sport/athletics/articles/cwynx45gxglo

 

 

What a big girl's blouse. 😆

Probably because there are no prizes in the mass race.

 

You do know how entry pre-qualification for elite races works?