A Canadian female powerlifter slammed her Federation for allowing trans women to compete against women in competitions.
April Hutchinson, 45, is the current Canadian powerlifting champion.
“A very sad day for women in sports,” Hutchinson tweeted.
“My federation- The Canadian Powerlifting Union has decided NOT to change policy and still allow biological males to compete in our sport.”
Hutchinson won the North American powerlifting gold medal in 2022, and she’s one of the world’s top competitors. She attached a photo of the letter she received from the Canadian Powerlifting Union (CFU), in which the CFU said its trans policy complies with Canadian human rights laws.
The CFU has a trans-inclusion policy that states individuals “should be able to participate in the gender with which they identify and not be subject to requirements for disclosure of personal information beyond those required of cisgender athletes.”
Last month, Albertan male powerlifter Avi Silverberg identified as female seconds before smashing a female record. The record was previously held by a trans female who was present during the record-breaking feat.
Silverberg, head coach of Team Canada Powerlifting, did the stunt to protest the trans-inclusive policy.
“I can’t get enough of this guy, Avi for prime minister,” Hutchinson said afterwards.
“It takes real balls to do this. I said this all along, any man can change their documents to say they are a woman then go in and take records. Finally someone did it for the women and proved the policy is a disgrace.”
More and more women are speaking out about trans-inclusive policies in sports.
In February, a female surfer announced she will no longer compete in the World Surf League unless it reverses its policy that allows biological men to compete against women.
“I think many of the girls currently on tour are not in support of this new rule and they fear being ostracized if they speak up,” said surfing icon Bethany Hamilton.
