Erasing Women: ‘Transgender’ rugby player raises thousands in bid to overthrow safety laws banning players who were born male from playing against women

By Iwan Stone/DailyMail.com

A transgender woman rugby player has raised thousands in a bid to overthrow safety laws banning players who were born men from the female-only sport.

The policy was put in place after research by World Rugby found trans women increase risk factors for biological women by as much as 30 per cent due to power and strength differences.

Transgender rugby player Julie-Anne Curtis – who sent a legal challenge to the Rugby Football Union over the decision in August last year – is now raising money to fight it.

Writing as part of her crowdfunder, she said: ‘Having begun my transition in 2016, I have been accepted as female by friends, colleagues, loved ones and most relevantly, by my female rugby team mates when I started playing again in 2021 as my full self.

‘This decision essentially bans one population of people from playing a game. The Equality Act starts at inclusion, not exclusion.