Risking Suspension, Champion Powerlifter Says ‘Trans Rights’ Don’t Trump Women’s Rights

April Hutchinson, an award-winning powerlifter who found solace in the sport after rehab, recently spoke out against USA Powerlifting’s legal obligation to allow biological males to compete against females. Hutchinson believes that “trans rights” do not trump women’s rights and that fairness in sports for women should be maintained. She also brought attention to the lack of monitoring of testosterone levels for trans-identifying athletes, which creates a double standard for female athletes who undergo routine drug testing. Hutchinson has received an overwhelming amount of support from her powerlifting community, but her federation has threatened to suspend her for her views. Despite this, she remains optimistic that change will happen and her voice will be heard.

Hutchinson’s concerns arise from cases like that of Anne Andres, a man identifying as a woman, who has set records and competed against women in powerlifting. The inclusion of biologically male athletes in all-female sports is not only counterintuitive, as it presents biological advantages over females, but also intimidates female athletes into silence. Hutchinson fears that if sports open the floodgates for gender-inclusive competition, there will be no point in female sports in the future. The situation also raises concerns about the transparency of synthetic hormone intake among athletes. Hutchinson has taken to social media and posted with the hashtags #SaveWomensSports, #WomenAreNotAHormoneLevel, and #DefundCCES, in reference to the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sports’ “inclusive” gender diversity agenda. She has received an outpouring of support from her community, and she is confident that her voice will bring change for women in sports.