An Open Letter to An Coimisiún le Rincí Gaelacha (CLRG) and all associated governing boards:

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). This includes all major competitions on the regional, national, or world level, including all local feiseanna. We represent a community of active dancers, teachers, adjudicators, professional dancers, retired dancers, families of dancers, and other individuals invested in the future of Irish dance and the success of its dancers. We recognize the right of transgender dancers to succeed in our sport, and celebrate their wins without exception.

We commend the policy of CLRG, as well as the IDTANA, and the North American Southern Region specifically, to allow transgender dancers to compete in the competition category that aligns with their gender. We recognize that this policy is a well-established precedent that represents the will of the Irish dancing community. We recognize that the decision to enact this policy was an informed one, made with the endorsement of the teaching community, in alignment with up-to-date scientific research. We recognize that this decision was made kindly and humanely, in the interest of supporting all dancers, without exception. We thank the Southern Region, IDTANA, and CLRG for standing strong in the face of ill-informed transphobic backlash against this well-established precedent.

We recognize that success in Irish dance is, and has always been, a multi-factorial result upon which no assigned birth sex can confer a biological advantage. This goes beyond the current scientific research, which states that transitioned transgender athletes demonstrate no significant advantage in any sport. We recognize that adjudicators in Irish dance are trained thoroughly to judge Irish dance competitions based on a wide range of factors, including rhythm, turnout, crossover, pointed feet, toe height, flexibility, and posture, none of which are affected by assigned birth sex. We recognize that we, as a community, do not discriminate against cisgender Irish dancers who have “natural ability” in the above areas or any other area and indeed commend them. We recognize that transgender dancers who win or see other significant success in Irish dancing competitions do so based on their hard work towards the demanding ideals of our art and sport, just as any dancer, and we celebrate their right to succeed.

We unilaterally condemn harassment, bullying, and abuse of all transgender dancers – online or offline, on message boards, social media, or in-person, publicly or anonymously. We particularly condemn harassment, bullying, and abuse of minors, as well as any activity that puts these dancers at potential risk. We condemn the widespread misgendering of trans Irish dancers (referring to transgender dancers by their assigned birth sex rather than their correct gender identity) as well as discriminatory calls to separate transgender Irish dancers from the established competition categories. We stand strong against ill-informed and reactionary backlash to well-informed and thoughtfully made policy. Irish dance is a safe space for so many dancers. It must be a safe space for all dancers. We urge the organizing bodies to take appropriate measures to make it clear that bullying and harassment are never acceptable within our community.

We recognize that it is the right of all transgender individuals, including transgender dancers, to live in a way that is consistent with their gender identity. We recognize the stakes for transgender dancers of having their gender consistently affirmed and that being able to compete in the category that aligns with that gender is an important way that we, as a community, can support these dancers, as we support all dancers. We recognize that transgender dancers are the gender they say they are. We recognize that dancers who live consistently as their gender in every area of their lives deserve to have their gender affirmed within the world of Irish dance at all levels of competition. 

We, the Irish dance community, stand in strong support of our transgender community members, now and forever. Irish dance is a sport that developed and thrived in the face of discrimination. We, as a community, know firsthand that kindness, acceptance, and truth prevail. We are proud that our sport has established itself as a leader in the world of athletic competition and has chosen the path that aligns with kindness, science, and humanity. We look forward to a future where dancers not only continue to compete in the category that aligns with their gender identity but are celebrated universally by all members of their community. Trans dancers have the right to compete. Trans dancers have the right to succeed. We stand strong in alignment with the transgender Irish dance community.