An Unfair Fight: The Intersectional Bias Against Imane Khelif (and women everywhere)
At this point, most of us- whether you are following the Olympics or not- have heard about the controversy surrounding Algerian boxer, Imane Khelif. In her welterweight fight against Angela Carini (Italy), it was only 46 seconds before the Italian had to stop, following a powerful punch to the nose. In what should have been a case of a gifted and powerful boxer winning a decisive bout, it sadly became an instant controversy fueled by transphobia, racism, misogyny, and ignorance.
Almost immediately, there were cries of protest from people claiming Khelif had no right to be in the ring, with one of the most common (and false) reasons given being that she was a transgender woman. Others argued that while she may have been born a woman, her uncommonly high testosterone levels should have disqualified her from fighting (as the International Boxing Association did in a move still considered anomalous and controversial). And mixed into all of this, sometimes explicit, other times cloaked in a thin veil of innuendo, racist commentary can be found.
So let’s start by getting the facts on the table:
First, Khelif is a cisgender woman (assigned female at birth) born in a country where being transgender and receiving related gender-affirming care are legally forbidden and socially taboo. She met all the qualification standards to compete in the Olympics that every athlete is subject to. And to those who demand this proven- usually through violent and demeaning means- unless every athlete is subject to this violation, how is that remotely fair? (In case this isn’t clear, if she was transgender, she’d still be woman.)
Second, the Olympic qualifications standards do not require Khelif’s- or any athlete’s- naturally elevated testosterone level to be disqualified. While other sporting organizations have attempted to implement such standards, they are not in place in this case. Further, even where they are used, it becomes problematic because establishing standards of acceptable biological deviation has not only been largely arbitrary but inconsistently applied. Take for example swimmer Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympic athlete of all time, boasting a total of 28 medals. It is commonly acknowledged that Phelps has physiological advantages that have made him such a formidable swimmer. Specifically, he has an exceptionally long wingspan, large feet that function like flippers, and a highly flexible double-jointed body, which allows for more efficient strokes. Most significantly, his body produces less lactic acid, reducing muscle fatigue and enabling quicker recovery. These are all natural, biological advantages over other swimmers. Yet there is virtually no controversy over his being qualified for competition.
Third, while some reports have said that Khelif has XY chromosomes, this does not mean she is a man. Cisgender women can have XY chromosomes under circumstances such as Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome and Swyer Syndrome. These conditions show that biological sex can be complex and not always align with chromosomal patterns. Again, given Algeria’s strict legal and cultural rules around gender, their insistence on her being a woman is further evidence that she is cisgender.
Fourth, Khelif’s boxing record reflects a pattern of wins and losses consistent with other athletes who work hard to establish themselves in their given sport. For example, catching the attention of Algeria’s national team when she was younger, she finished her first major tournament with a first-round loss. She lost five of the first six bouts she competed in at the elite level. However, she has persevered and earned her place as one of the best women boxers in the world.
This is not stated as proof of Khelif’s gender, as many women could arguably defeat many men in fair fights. Rather, the point is that Khelif’s career defies the growing narrative that she is a testosterone-fueled, unstoppable punching machine that is making a mockery of women’s boxing. This is demonstrably untrue, exposing more nefarious intentions behind the outrage against her.
It is telling that the anti-transgender sentiment is so strong that people will ignorantly misgender cisgender women- the very group they claim to be protecting. Scrutiny of the kind that Khelif has been subjected to shows that those transphobic attitudes are not based on evidence or even reality. If this is how it is for cisgender women in sports, imagine the experiences of actual transgender athletes. All women athletes face the risk of higher levels of inconsistent treatment, with double standards and high scrutiny subjected to their qualifications and performance than their male counterparts.
They are also subjected to a heightened focus on their physical appearance and social behaviour, often seen in media portrayal and even institutional policy. In the case of Khelif, she not only had the merits of her skill and athleticism questioned (not to mention her very integrity) but was also subjected to wildly inappropriate conversation and demands made of her very body. We should not overlook that Italian boxer Angela Carini fully supports Khelif’s right to compete and actually wanted to apologize for failing to shake hands with her opponent. And yet, even her voice is ignored.
As though that is not enough, the problem is further fueled by the frequency with which Black women are misgendered due to a combination of racial and gender biases. Stereotypes about Black women often portray them as more “masculine”, aggressive, or less “feminine” compared to women of other races, especially white women. Black womanhood has a long history of such prejudices and dehumanization. One notable example is how often Michelle Obama was called a man, often with overtones of dehumanizing comparisons to animals. And it is on the rise with Presidential candidate, Kamala Harris.
It is a tragic injustice that Imane Khelif’s experience at the Olympics- a time that should have been marked with pride and respect- has reflected some of the worst aspects of misogyny, racism, transphobia, and ignorance. And yet, it stands as a tragic warning about how widely prevalent these prejudices are in both sports and in wider society.
This incident profoundly illustrates how transphobia, racism, and misogyny intersect to disproportionately impact already marginalized individuals. These overlapping prejudices exponentially compound the challenges faced by people who don’t fit the narrow norms of gender, race, or even dominant “beauty standards”. We must address these issues with that intersectional lens, recognizing that the work of justice includes evidence-based understanding and the dismantling of misinformation, biases, and prejudices wherever they occur- including within ourselves.
This is not about yelling louder but speaking truth to power.
Jamie Arpin-Ricci is a bisexual author, award-winning activist, and founder of The Rainbow Well and co-director of Peace & Justice Initiatives. He is also pastoral leader at Little Flowers Community, a Mennonite church in Winnipeg, MB, where he has served a largely 2SLGBTQIA+ congregation for almost 15 years. Arpin-Ricci has provided community and support to countless 2SLGBTQIA+ people around the world for years.