Latest news with #transcommunity
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Noa-Lynn Van Leuven responds to World Darts Federation transgender ruling
In light of the recent WDF announcement regarding its transgender policy, the organisation's most high-profile trans player, Noa Van Leuven, has taken to social media to respond: 'This past Monday, the WDF (World Darts Federation) released a new policy regarding gender eligibility. I want to take a moment to respond. 'This decision does affect me personally - though, thankfully, not too severely at this point in time. But still, it hurts. Once again, it's a loss for the trans community in sports. And that breaks my heart. 'As a trans person in the darts world, I know how vital inclusion is - not just on paper, but in practice. It's disheartening to see yet another policy framed around 'fairness' that ultimately results in exclusion, without truly considering the people behind the labels. 'My heart goes out to all the athletes impacted by this. We remain visible. We keep going.' The Dutch thrower is, perhaps, the most visible and certainly the most successful trans dart player to date. But victories on multiple PDC tours and qualification for major womens events have not come without controversy and even protest at the recent Women's World Matchplay. PROTESTERS AT WOMENS WORLD MATCHPLAY: Transgender protest swiftly halted The World Darts Federation (WDF) announced the major update to its transgender policy last weekend, confirming that entry to its Women's and Girls' tournaments will now be limited to players who are female by birth. As expected, opinion remains sharply divided on the issue. From what's been seen online, a significant portion of darts fans and players appear to support the WDF's position — viewing the inclusion of trans players such as Van Leuven in the women's game as an unfair advantage. SIGN UP FOR A DARTS WORLD MEMBERSHIP TODAY! The debate will undoubtedly continue. Whether transgender advocacy groups pursue the matter further, potentially through legal avenues, remains to be seen. But for now, the darts world is watching closely. All eyes are on the Darts Regulation Authority (DRA), whose stance will directly influence the policy of the PDC. For the full stories and more in depth coverage of everything darts, together with the latest issues of their legendary publications, head on over to Darts World subscriptions options include Print, Digital and All Access packages, as well as exclusive products and competitions
CBS News
11-08-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Minneapolis Trans Equity Summit provides "safe space" as rights rolled back, debated nationwide
The City of Minneapolis hosted its annual Trans Equity Summit on Monday at the McNamara Alumni Center, bringing together transgender, nonbinary and gender expansive residents for a day of workshops, performances and a resource fair. Organizers said the summit is built with the communities it serves, with sessions on legal rights, health care access and ways to build supportive networks in Minnesota. "I feel like the Trans Equity Summit is important because it is things that are important to the trans community, done by the trans community," said Florence Addams, who goes by Flo. The program also honored Minneapolis City Council Member Andrea Jenkins for her leadership. Performers took the stage during a midday celebration that organizers described as an expression of trans joy. Addams called the summit "absolutely a safe space," adding that it shows what happens "when you just allow trans people to exist." "Our communities have really experienced a legacy of discrimination and violence," said Shor Salkas, the city's LGBTQIA+ equity manager. "Equity is making sure our communities have what they need to thrive." Salkas said the broader goal is simple. "We really love and care and support each other, and that is what we are going to keep doing, especially when it is hard," Salkas said. City leaders said they aim to connect attendees with resources year-round
Daily Mail
05-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Mariah Carey, 56, looks incredible in a chic black dress with mesh panels as she heads out in London after headlining Brighton Pride
Mariah Carey looked incredible as she headed out in London on Tuesday after headlining Brighton Pride. The singer, 56, wore a chic black dress with mesh panels while smiling for photos outside Global radio offices. She teamed the fitted number with a pair of opaque tights and layered over a cropped leather jacket. Ever the diva, Mariah accessorised with oversized sunglasses and topped off her outfit with towering platform heels. She wowed fans on Saturday as she took to the stage for her much-anticipated headline slot at Brighton Pride. The superstar wore four figure-hugging outfits for her two hour performance at the event. Mariah glittered in a silver gradient dress that she paired with a diamanté pink jacket and silver boots before changing into a blue and turquoise number. Her packed setlist included hits like Vision of Love and Heroes as she gave the long-awaited performance that was initially scheduled for 2020, but was cancelled because of the Covid pandemic. She later wrote on Instagram: 'Thank you so much Brighton Pride for having me tonight! A special heartfelt thank you to the LGBTQ + community for your ongoing support. 'I will always be there for you. Love, MC.' She took the opportunity to show her support for the trans community by embellishing her pink jacket with the phrase 'Protect the dolls'. Elsewhere in the performance, Mariah stunned in a more loosely fitted gold dress and thigh-high boots. She also changed into a longer black dress and open-toed glittery high heels for a more glamorous look. She also changed into a longer black dress and open-toed glittery high heels for a more glamorous look The concert was a special event for fans as it was the first time that Mariah had performed in the UK since 2019. Mariah was so keen to look her best for fans that she actually stopped her performance to have her makeup touched up. A fan told The Mirror: 'What Mariah wants, Mariah must get. She called her makeup and hair team to the stage to touch up her hair and makeup. As she should, the queen that she is. 'She was absolutely incredible and just goes to show that even though she's one of the biggest stars on the planet, she has no qualms about wanting to look her best - like all of us.'
Yahoo
04-08-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Trans darts champion laments ban against trans women as 'loss for the trans community'
Dutch transgender darts champion Noa-Lynn van Leuven has denounced the World Darts Federation's recent decision to ban trans women from the women's category. The 28-year-old acknowledged the international governing body's new gender eligibility policy in a statement posted to Instagram on Friday, noting that "this decision does affect me personally — though, thankfully, not too severely at this point in time. But still, it hurts." "Once again, it's a loss for the trans community in sports. And that breaks my heart," van Leuven wrote. "As a trans person in the darts world, I know how vital inclusion is — not just on paper, but in practice. It's disheartening to see yet another policy framed around 'fairness' that ultimately results in exclusion, without truly considering the people behind the labels." Noa-Lynn van Leuven on Instagram: "This past Monday, the WDF (World Darts Federation) released a new policy regarding gender eligibility. I want to take a moment to respond. This decision does affect me personally — though, thankfully, not too severely at this point in time. But still, it hurts. Once again, it's a loss for the trans community in sports. And that breaks my heart. As a trans person in the darts world, I know how vital inclusion is — not just on paper, but in practice. It's disheartening to see yet another policy framed around 'fairness' that ultimately results in exclusion, without truly considering the people behind the labels. My heart goes out to all the athletes impacted by this. We remain visible. We keep going. 🏳️⚧️❤️ #transrightsarehumanrights #darts #inclusivesport #wdf #transinclusion #sportforall" The WDF officially released the new policy last Monday, creating a "female" category designated "for those participants recorded female at birth, and within definition of female under this policy, which includes females who wish to transition to men, but not undergoing hormone treatment." Trans women and trans men who are on hormone replacement therapy are instead allowed to compete in a separate but equal open category. The organization claimed to implement the rule for "equal opportunity." Darts, like pool, fishing, dancing, and chess, is an activity where gender offers no competitive advantage, yet all have still implemented bans against trans competitors. A comprehensive review of several studies on trans participation in sports under their gender identity also found that trans athletes, post transition, are "more similar to their gender identity." It noted that both transgender and cisgender athletes show great variations in ability. Van Leuven, who has won several titles in both the women's and open category, has been prohibited from competing in WDF events since September, when the federation's members first voted to implement the ban. She spoke out against the rule at the time, saying that she and other trans athletes were being "cancelled." Van Leuven has been competing in Professional Darts Corporation events. "My heart goes out to all the athletes impacted by this," she continued. "We remain visible. We keep going." This article originally appeared on Advocate: Trans darts champion laments ban against trans women as 'loss for the trans community' RELATED Democrats defeat Republican transgender sports ban bill in U.S. Senate What does the science say about transgender women in sports? I responded to a moderate's anti-trans sports views. Here's what happened
The Sun
31-07-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
‘That breaks my heart' – Trans darts star Noa Lynn van Leuven releases statement after being BANNED from tournament
TRANSGENDER darts star Noa-Lynn van Leuven has released a statement after being banned from women's WDF competition. It comes after an update in the World Darts Federation's eligibility rules on trans participation in events. 1 Van Leuven, 28, wrote on Instagram: "This past Monday, the WDF (World Darts Federation) released a new policy regarding gender eligibility. "I want to take a moment to respond. This decision does affect me personally though, thankfully, not too severely at this point in time. But still, it hurts. "Once again, it's a loss for the trans community in sports. And that breaks my heart. "As a trans person in the darts world, I know how vital inclusion is not just on paper, but in practice. "It's disheartening to see yet another policy framed around 'fairness' that ultimately results in exclusion, without truly considering the people behind the labels. "My heart goes out to all the athletes impacted by this. We remain visible. We keep going." Van Leuven was the first openly transgender person to compete in a televised darts tournament and the first to play at the PDC World Championship. She began her transition aged 16 and had to pass stringent transitioning tests to play in women's darts - debuting with the PDC in 2022. Van Leuven will now only compete in the Open Category - which includes male players - under the WDF. A WDF statement read: "Effective Monday 28 July 2025, entry and participation in WDF Women's and Girls Ranking Tournaments and Cups will only be open to players that are WOMEN/FEMALE as defined under this policy. "Accordingly, WDF Tournaments, Cups and Ranking Tables will be renamed and redefined as 'Open', 'Women', 'Open Youth' and 'Girls' tournaments and cups. "We understand these changes may be challenging for people who want to compete in darts in the gender which they are now registered as. "The WDF has directly contacted its Member Countries so as they can discuss these changes with affected players directly." But the ruling will not effect transgender players in PDC competition. The PDC, who did not comment on the matter when approached by SunSport, operate under the rules of the Darts Regulation Authority. Last year, Van Leuven broke new ground as she became the first Dutch woman to qualify for the World Darts Championship. But she was eliminated in the first round by compatriot Kevin Doets. She also featured in the Women's World Matchplay of Darts in Blackpool this month - reaching the semi-final before losing to eventual winner Lisa Ashton. Van Leuven is currently ranked 4th in the PDC Women's Order of Merit, with the top three stars eligible to qualify for the WDC and top rank qualifying for the Grand Slam of Darts.
