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Transgender, Non-Binary and Gender-Diverse Participation in Martial Arts

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Written by Joe
Updated this week

1. Introduction: Our Commitment to Fairness, Safety and Inclusion

BMABA is proud to represent a diverse national community of martial artists. We believe martial arts can be a powerful force for inclusion, confidence, personal growth and community cohesion. Every person—regardless of their sex, gender identity or background—deserves to participate in a way that is authentic to who they are.

At the same time, we are a safeguarding-led organisation with a firm duty to uphold fairness, physical safety, and equality under the law. As a body that works extensively on issues relating to gender-based violence and safe spaces for women and girls, we are obliged to adopt a thoughtful, evidence-informed position on how sex and gender interact in the context of contact sport.

This policy sets out BMABA’s position on the inclusion of transgender, non-binary and gender-diverse individuals across all areas of martial arts training and competition under our jurisdiction. It offers practical advice for clubs and instructors, and ensures our approach remains inclusive while respecting the rights and safety of all participants.


2. Our Core Values

BMABA’s approach to this subject is guided by three equally important values:

  • Safety First
    Especially in disciplines involving full-contact, semi-contact, or grappling, participant safety is paramount. We must ensure that no competitor faces undue risk due to mismatched physical advantages or vulnerabilities.

  • Fair Competition
    We recognise that in many combat sports, physiological differences—particularly those established through male puberty—can significantly affect fairness in competition. Female categories must remain fair and viable.

  • Inclusion and Dignity
    We are committed to enabling everyone to train, learn and engage as their authentic self, free from discrimination, harassment or marginalisation. This includes making meaningful accommodations and treating everyone with respect.


3. Legal Framework (UK Law)

BMABA’s policy is built upon current legal guidance in the United Kingdom, which provides important context for decision-making:

Legal Instrument

Key Points for Clubs

Why It Matters

Equality Act 2010 – s.195

Permits the exclusion of trans participants from gender-specific categories in sport where necessary to ensure fairness or safety.

This is the legal basis for maintaining female-only contact divisions or female-only training environments.

EHRC Single-Sex Services Guidance (2022)

Supports sports organisations applying “proportionate means” to meet legitimate aims such as safety.

Ensures decisions are lawful and non-discriminatory when applied carefully.

SCEG Guidance on Transgender Inclusion (2021)

Recognises three competing factors in sport—inclusion, fairness and safety—and advises that these cannot always be achieved simultaneously.

Supports sport-specific policy that weighs risks and evidence.

IOC Framework (2021, endorsed 2024)

Encourages sport-specific assessment of transgender inclusion using evidence and good faith.

Reinforces that combat sports may require tailored approaches.

Recent court rulings and ministerial statements in 2024–25 further confirm that where safety or fairness is at stake, it is legally permissible to maintain sex-based categories—especially in contact or high-risk disciplines.


4. Scientific Considerations

BMABA’s policy reflects the current state of scientific evidence, particularly concerning physical risk and athletic advantage in combat sports:

  • Residual Male Advantage
    Research (e.g. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 2021) shows that even after hormone therapy, transgender women may retain muscle mass, strength, and cardiovascular capacity associated with male puberty. These advantages often persist well beyond 12–36 months of hormone suppression.

  • Injury Risk
    Combat sports carry a measurable risk of injury, particularly in striking, takedowns, and submissions. Data consistently shows greater bone density, limb length, and force generation in natal males, which may raise the risk of concussion or joint damage when engaging in contact with natal females.

These findings underpin the need for cautious, evidence-led approaches to contact competition categories.


5. BMABA Policy Position

A. Contact & Grappling Competitions

  • Female Divisions
    Entry is restricted to individuals recorded female at birth. This applies to all contact sparring, semi-contact striking, and grappling-based competition under a female category.

  • Trans Women
    May:

    • Participate in non-contact, technical drills and fitness sessions, with appropriate consent from partners.

    • Enter an Open or All-Gender category, where one is made available.

  • Male / Open Divisions
    Open to cisgender men, trans men, trans women, and non-binary individuals who pass standard safety and medical checks.

B. Children and Young People

For under-18s, BMABA advises:

  • Focusing on skill-based, controlled-contact training wherever possible.

  • Avoiding unnecessary gender segregation in non-contact settings.

  • When contact occurs, ensuring match-ups are based on weight, size, developmental stage and skill, not identity alone.

  • Involving parents/carers and safeguarding staff in all decisions concerning trans or non-binary children.

C. Review Cycle

This policy will be reviewed every two years, or earlier if:

  • New legal or scientific evidence emerges.

  • There are significant changes in national guidance.

  • Stakeholder feedback suggests a need for revision.



6. Inclusive Practice: Guidance for Clubs

BMABA encourages clubs to adopt a respectful, inclusive approach in all non-competitive contexts. The following practices are advised:

Area

Inclusive Action

Compliance Tip

Registration & Privacy

Let individuals state their affirmed name and pronouns. Keep any medical or legal documentation (e.g. Gender Recognition Certificates) strictly confidential.

Complies with UK GDPR and the Equality Act.

Changing Facilities

Offer gender-neutral or private changing spaces wherever possible. Stagger access to existing facilities if space is limited.

EHRC guidance supports this as a reasonable adjustment.

Training Pairing

Pair participants by size, ability and mutual consent, not gender identity alone.

Enhances safety and avoids assumptions.

Open / Showcase Events

Host “open mat” or mixed-gender non-medal events under tightly controlled rules.

Provides pathways for inclusion without compromising other divisions.

Education & Culture

Train all staff annually on respectful language, trans rights, and how to respond appropriately to disclosures.

Reduces risk of discrimination and fosters allyship.

Welfare & Reporting

Appoint a Club Inclusion & Welfare Lead or combine with under the DSL / SENCO Role Holding. Ensure clear reporting routes for misgendering, bullying or exclusion.

Aligns with your broader safeguarding policy.

Competition Categories

Offer non-ranking, weight-based open categories for novice competitors where feasible.

Widens participation and demonstrates proportionality under s.195.




7. Inclusion Within Class & The Validity of Women-Only Sessions

Supporting Gender-Diverse Participants Within Class

BMABA expects all instructors to foster a respectful, inclusive environment in which transgender, non-binary and gender-diverse participants can train safely and confidently. In non-competitive settings, inclusion is not only encouraged but expected wherever it does not create an undue safety risk.

Instructors should:

  • Use affirmed names and pronouns as requested by the participant.

  • Avoid assumptions about identity based on appearance, voice or behaviour.

  • Ensure consent for all partnered activities, particularly in drills involving physical contact, restraint, or holds.

  • Pair participants based on mutual consent, size, skill and comfort—not solely on gender identity.

  • Avoid grouping or singling out gender-diverse individuals unless necessary for safeguarding or practical reasons and only with sensitivity and confidentiality.

  • Be prepared to offer alternative drills or training formats where a participant is uncomfortable with a specific pairing or scenario.

  • Create opportunities for feedback so that students can raise concerns or suggest improvements without fear of reprisal.

Where possible, class discussions or briefings should normalise inclusion as part of the club culture—emphasising respect, safety, and the shared values of martial arts.



Women-Only Sessions: Lawful and Valid

BMABA recognises the essential role of women-only spaces in martial arts and supports clubs that wish to provide female-only classes or training environments.

These sessions are valid under UK equality law and play a critical role in:

  • Promoting access for survivors of abuse or trauma.

  • Reducing gender-based barriers to entry.

  • Supporting faith-based or cultural needs.

  • Protecting the fairness and safety of biological female participants in contact settings.

Legally Supported Under the Equality Act 2010

Section 195 of the Equality Act 2010 permits sex-based restrictions in sport where necessary for safety, privacy, or the promotion of female participation. Excluding trans women from women-only sessions—such as classes or changing areas—is lawful when it is a proportionate response to a legitimate aim. BMABA supports clubs in applying this exemption where appropriately justified.

BMABA affirms that this includes:

  • Weekly women-only beginner sessions.

  • Women's self-defence courses.

  • Trauma-informed or safeguarding-based female environments.

  • Female-only sparring or technical classes.

Clubs may choose to restrict these spaces to individuals recorded female at birth where there is a material concern for safety, fairness, or privacy—particularly in full-contact or close-contact settings, or where the setting of the class is focused around gender-specific challenges, such as self protection, self defence or trauma-recovery classes. Where trans inclusion is possible and appropriate, instructors should engage with the individual sensitively and consider alternatives such as parallel sessions, open mat formats, or mixed training with clear ground rules.



8. Conclusion

BMABA believes passionately in the power of martial arts to bring people together, promote resilience, and create safer communities. We are committed to welcoming participants of all identities and ensuring they feel respected, valued, and protected.


At the same time, we acknowledge the complex realities of contact sport and are bound by legal and safeguarding duties to act in the interests of fairness and safety—especially in how we protect women’s divisions and vulnerable groups.

This policy seeks to strike that balance. It is grounded in compassion, evidence, and law. We remain open to ongoing dialogue, evidence, and lived experiences, and we welcome collaboration from members, clubs, and community stakeholders.

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