Sporting Gender, Joanna Harper

In Sporting Gender: The History, Science, and Stories of Transgender and Intersex Athletes, Joanna Harper provides an in-depth examination of why gender diverse athletes are so controversial. Harper delves into the history of these athletes and their personal stories, including those of contemporary athletes Laurel Hubbard, Tifanny Abreu, and Caster Semenya. She also explains in a highly accessible manner the science behind their gender diversity and why the science is important for regulatory committees – and the general public – to consider when evaluating sports performance.

Sporting Gender gives the reader a perspective that is both broad in scope and yet detailed enough to grasp the nuances that are central in understanding the controversies over intersex and transgender athletes. Featuring personal investigations from the author, who has had first-person access to some of the most significant recent developments in this complex arena, this book provides fascinating insight into sex, gender, and sports.