Belfast Pride's LGBT parade bans Ulster Rugby because of IRFU's new policy on transgender players in women's game

Ulster Rugby is governed by the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) which last year decided that only rugby players who were born female would be allowed to compete with other females.

At the time, the IRFU said its ban was based on “medical and scientific evidence”.

It said there were “physical differences between those people whose sex was assigned as male and those as female at birth”.

The IRFU added that “advantages in strength, stamina and physique brought about by male puberty are significant and retained even after testosterone suppression”.

Ulster Rugby took part in the annual LGBT Belfast Pride last year, but this year organisers rejected their application on account of the new IRFU policy.

The theme of this year's parade, on July 29, is ‘stand by your trans’.

Explaining the exclusion of Ulster Rugby, the parade organisers described their parade as “unapologetically trans inclusive”.

“Trans, non-binary and gender-diverse people have helped lead and shape not only the Pride movement, but the wider LGBTQIA+ civil rights movement, and are an integral part of our community and wider society,” it said.

“We believe trans, non-binary and gender-diverse people should be supported, accepted and celebrated within families, communities and across wider society.”

In a statement to the BBC's ‘Talkback’ programme, the IRFU said its gender participation policy was in line with World Rugby guidance, which is subject to ongoing review”.

It explained that in the male category, “players whose sex is recorded at birth as female may continue to play if they provide written consent and a risk assessment is carried out”.

However, players who were born male cannot play as part of women's teams in contact games.

“It is important to point out that we have non-contact playing formats, refereeing, coaching and volunteering opportunities available to all, including players impacted by the policy change, to encourage continued involvement in the game,” the IRFU added.

“We recognise that this is a sensitive and challenging area for those involved, and the wider LGBTQIA+ community, and our collective aim is that trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming people who support and play our game will remain within the rugby family.”

Fiona McAnena from campaign group Fair Play For Women, said the rules were about safety.

“In order to include women safely and fairly in sport – especially in rugby – you have to exclude male bodies from the women's teams and that's what the rugby football union have decided to do,” she told ‘Talkback’.

However, Leo Lardie from the Rainbow Project, said the policy was “forcing [trans] women to play with men”.

Many people wrongly assume that transgender women (who were born male but now identify as female) are all the same height and weight, she added.