CLRG has ruled that transgender dancers can compete in categories that match their gender identity.
The landmark decision comes after weeks of high-profile debate in the Irish dancing community and mainstream media.
While the default policy already allowed transgender dancers to compete in the section that aligns with their gender identity, the matter was brought into focus in December when a transgender dancer in the Southern Region, USA qualified for the World Championships by winning her age category at the regional Oireachtas.
This sparked discourse within the Irish dance world and beyond about transgender competitors in Irish dancing.
Some had put forward motions to CLRG membership seeking to ban transgender dancers from competing in categories that match their gender identity, according to the Irish Independent.
While conversations surrounding transgender athletes have been prominent in the media for many years, this is the first time it has been brought fully to the mainstream within the context of Irish dancing.
CLRG chairperson Sandra Connick released a statement last week, saying “there has been considerable internal and external discussion concerning the eligibility of transgender dancers to enter competitions that align with their gender identity”.
Last week, members of the CLRG participated in a “transgender educational forum”, in which they discussed research on the performance of transgender athletes in other sports and analysed how the results might affect Irish dance competitions as well as the reputational factors that could affect CLRG.
At this meeting, motions that sought to establish an entirely separate category for “non-cis” dancers to compete against one another were defeated by majority vote.
“As a world-wide organisation welcoming dancers from many different backgrounds, CLRG is committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment for every dancer in our community,“ Connick said in a statement. ”However, we understand that the matter is a divisive subject that generates strong opinions and CLRG has been listening to the views of all teachers, dancers and parents, while also seeking professional legal, reputational and peer organisation advice on the subject.”
Connick added: “CLRG’s policy has always permitted dancers to compete according to their gender identity in line with its child protection policy, which states that CLRG does not discriminate against any child for any reason.
“This policy was most recently clarified in 2021 when a New Zealand teacher sought and received confirmation at a CLRG meeting that dancers could compete at Oireachtas Rince na Cruinne in alignment with the gender they identify as in their daily life.”
Connecticut-based Irish dancer and The Irish Dance Globe writer Gabrielle Siegel started a petition in support of transgender dancers in December, which gained more than 7,000 signatures.
“We, the Irish dancing community, voice our unequivocal support for transgender dancers and for these dancers to continue competing as their true selves in the category that best aligns with their gender identity in all competitions hosted by CLRG and its subsidiary or affiliated organizations (including national and regional councils),” the open letter to CLRG read.
In a statement to IDG responding to the new ruling, Gabrielle said: “I couldn’t be happier or more relieved at this decision. While this should never have been up for debate, it’s a win we cannot and do not take for granted. This took a lot of hard work from a lot of people, particularly from trans dancers who have been bravely working to compete as themselves for years.
“As disappointed as I have been with many in our community these past few weeks and months, I have been inspired in much greater part by the tireless and unapologetic voices standing up for equality. As a queer woman, Irish dance has been one of the safest and most welcoming places in my life. Everybody deserves to have that experience — to know they can show up exactly as they are. I am overjoyed by this strong and democratic institutional support, and I hope to see CLRG continue its leadership on this front by ensuring bullying and harassment, especially of children, are never tolerated in our community.”
Alongside their current Child Protection Policy, CLRG is working to create a new inclusivity policy to include its position on transgender dancers. The annual CLRG meeting in May will decide the future of this motion, but for now, transgender dancers and dancers of all identities will be allowed to compete in whichever category affirms their gender identity.
