British Cycling has banned me from women’s grassroots cycling because I am a transgender woman.

I have issued legal proceedings against British Cycling to challenge their discriminatory policy. 

The policy requires trans women to compete in an ‘open’ category, which is de facto a 'male' category. Effectively forces the very few of us to out ourselves in order to participate. This is dehumanising, humiliating and very unsafe. 

This policy has excluded me from the sport and community I love. It has also created a climate where women and girls are exposed to harassment, abuse and increased scrutiny. Therefore, not only does the policy impact me as a trans woman, but it impacts all women and girls because of the gender-policing and scrutiny on women's bodies - and women's sports in general - it has created. 

This challenge therefore goes beyond trans inclusion alone. 

Sport should bring people together, not shut people out. This challenge is about keeping sport open to everyone who takes part at grassroots level for fitness, friendship, community and belonging.

This legal action is for everyone who shows up, regardless of ability, to stay active, build community and enjoy the social, mental, physical and personal benefits that sport brings to us all. 

The ban was introduced on the concept of alleged, “fairness” based on a weak, outdated and biased body of research. I am, at best, an average woman cyclist, as shown by my race results. British Cycling’s ban is not about fairness, it is an unnecessary, direct attack on women's sport.

If you believe grassroots sport is for everyone, please stand with me and donate what you can to help fund this case and share this page with friends family and colleagues. Your donation, no matter what size, will help defend the principle that grassroots sport is about wellbeing, community and must be available to everyone.

Thank you.

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