INTERPRETATIVE REPERTOIRES OF TRANSGENDER ATHLETES REPRESENTED IN UK NEWSPAPERS OVER THE PERIOD 2010-2020

Transgender athletes (TGA) participation in sporting events has been examined extensively in the sociological and psychological literature (Anderson & Travers, 2017). However, there has been little published research on the representation of TGA in U.K (United Kingdom) newspapers. The qualitative method of discourse analysis is used in this study to understand how the identities of TGA are constructed through discourse. A greater understanding of the issue could influence the development of policies concerning TGA participation in sporting events and increase the awareness of any psychological distress TGA may experience because of their media portrayals. A total of five newspaper articles (Guardian, Mirror, Sun, Mail Independent), selected because of their circulation rates and cross-section of political viewpoints, were coded, and analysed using a critical discourse analysis method, frequently used to study identity (Davies & Horton-Salway, 2016). From the analysis, two ideological positions constructed through interpretative repertoire discourse were identified. First, it is entirely fair that TG women athletes (TGWA) should compete against biological women (therefore, TGA can adopt or have prescribed "honest" identities and resist accusations of cheating). Second, it is entirely unfair that TGWA should compete against biological women (therefore, TGA are dishonest and have the identity of "cheats"). The overall conclusion is that the TGA debate is associated with broader ideologies and social discourses that involve either a radical challenge to the status quo (identity is self-defined) or retaining the status quo (identity is not self-defined). This study has implications for 8 sporting and educational institutions, with obligations for equal opportunities and inclusivity and where a growing number of children are identified as transgender. Yet, many do not have trans-inclusion policies (Carroll, 2017). This study's results support a re-examination of existing policies towards TGA participation in sporting events