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Laurel Hubbard will represent New Zealand in the 90kg+ female category at the Australian International later this month. A trans woman being selected for a national team is a landmark point for LGBT+ people.

The International Olympic Committee’s Sex Reassignment/Hypoandrogenism Consensus Meeting in 2015 ruled “trans athletes are not [to be] excluded from the opportunity to participate in a sporting competition”. Testing of Hubbard’s blood has concluded that her levels of testosterone are lower than 10 nanomoles per litre, meaning she will have no hormonal advantage over the other competitors, and that she easily meets the regulations set.

Gary Marshall, president of the Olympic Weightlifting New Zealand, has told the New Zealand Herald that Hubbard wishes to compete internationally. This comes off the back of the Australian International having an influence on Commonwealth Games selection.

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Who knows, we may have a trans athlete on our Commonwealth team next year.

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