As England’s new ban on transgender women participating in women’s soccer teams came into force on Saturday, the country’s inclusive football community responded not with silence but with solidarity. In protest of the Football Association’s controversial ruling, Goal Diggers FC, a trans-inclusive, London-based women’s football club, hosted the “Let The Dolls Play Tournament” in Islington on Sunday. Around 100 players, including women, transgender women, non-binary and gender non-conforming individuals, turned out to send one unified message: no matter the rules, the love for football and the community built around it cannot be erased.
“It’s a sad day,” said Paula Griffin, a 60-year-old transgender woman and tournament participant. “But they’re not going to take away this community, my friends. And there’s such a powerful message coming from that — that the people who care about women’s sport are the people who play the women’s sports.”
Griffin, like many present, is dismayed by the Football Association’s recent decision to ban transgender women from participating in women’s teams — a change enacted following a U.K. Supreme Court ruling in April. The Court redefined a “woman” for anti-discrimination purposes strictly as someone born biologically female. This decision prompted a broad policy shift that includes restrictions on access to women’s toilets, hospital wards, and now, sports teams.
The Football Association had previously permitted transgender athletes to compete in women’s football if they met specified hormone level thresholds. Now, those rules have been overturned.
The FA’s decision has been lauded by some feminist groups but heavily criticised by trans-rights organisations, who warn of far-reaching negative impacts. For players like Billie Sky, 28, the ruling has been emotionally devastating.
“It’s really upset me,” she admitted. “I have to say, this has been a really hard week. I’ve struggled to get out of bed at times… but it’s really difficult.”
While the debate over transgender inclusion in sports continues to roil public discourse, notably also in the U.S., where President Donald Trump’s administration has taken a hardline stance against transgender athletes, Sunday’s tournament offered a glimpse of defiance through unity.
Jahnavi Kalayil, 26, captured the mood of the day: “I think that’s the whole point of today — we’re trying to just reclaim the day and make it a really joyous time to spend together. Whether winning or losing the games, it’s more about just coming together as a community and making sure we’re standing up for our trans siblings.”
Despite the policy change, for London’s inclusive footballers, the fight for equality — and the joy of the game — continues.
