Official ABC policy, transgender fighters
Source | TheUnderGround
The Association of Boxing Commissions maintains a number of committees that work year round to refine the guidelines for a wide variety of crucial topics in combat sports. One of these is the ABC Medical Committee for MMA and Boxing, chaired by Dr. Sheryl Wulkan.
At the 2012 convention. Dr. Wulkan presented the members with suggested guidelines concerning the heath and safety of combat sports participants. These included a subject that has received enormous press coverage this week, from CNN to TMZ, the participation of Fallon Fox, who underwent surgery and transgendered from male to female.
Many felt the appearance of a transgendered fighter in MMA would create chaos. However, Dr. Wulkan and her committee have a well-established protocol already, similar to the one put in place by the IOC.
The PDF of the guidelines, provided by Nick Lembo of the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board (NJSACB), provides the full details; the short summary is:
Individuals undergoing sex reassignment from male to female PRIOR to puberty should be regarded as girls and women (female).
Individuals undergoing sex reassignment from male to female AFTER puberty should be eligible for participation in female competitions under the following conditions:
•Surgical anatomical changes have been completed, including external genitalia and gonadectomy.
•Hormone therapy appropriate for the assigned sex (female) has been administered by a board certified endocrinologist or internist, pediatrician, or D.O. or any other specialist known to have significant knowledge with transsexuals and transgender individuals for a MINIMUM of TWO YEARS after gonadectroy. This is the current understanding of the minimum amount of time necessary to obviate male hormone gender related advantages in sports competition.
•A letter form a board certified physician responsible for the care of this patient will need to be submitted to the medical revue panel, the athletic commission being petitioned for licensure, and to the ABC Medical Review Board.