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Allowing transgender, transsexual or intersex individuals to compete in sport has been a controversial issue. People against transgender, transsexual or intersex individuals competing in sporting events argue that they are given an unfair advantage. Gender verification testing (see Gender verification in sports) was established in order to ensure that the gender was authentic and true to their gender specific sport (see below).

Controversial topics with Transgender, Transsexual and Intersex in sport
Those against the Trans and Intersex community competing in gender specific sport say that they are given an unfair advantage over non-transgendered and non-intersex individuals due to their testosterone levels. Testosterone regulates many different functions in the male and female body, including the maintenance of healthy bone and muscle mass. Since males have higher levels of testosterone then they are able to gain more muscle mass compared to most females, which may benefit their athletic abilities. Most exclusion is seen in cases when the individual is either intersex or transgender MTF because of their testosterone levels. Intersex person Caster Semenya had three times the amount of testosterone compared to the average female when she was tested by the IAAF in 2009. It is also argued that MTF individuals have previous muscular development and that intersex and MTF athletes will have greater muscle to fat ratio compared to other female-born athletes. However the beginning of a transgender's transition plays a major role on the amount of testosterone levels present in their body. Some MTF individuals begin intense hormone therapy where they take high doses of estrogen, and if the person desires they also have the option of having sex reassignment surgery which would also play a role in the amount of testosterone levels present in the body.

History of Gender Verification Testing
The first test was a physical examination issued by the IAAF in July of 1950, however later the examination was done by testing a buccal (from the mouth) smear to determine the athletes sex chromatins. More recently, South African athlete Caster Semenya had to be tested for her participation in the 2009 World Championships in Berlin, she ended up winning the gold in her event but spectators and fellow competitiors questioned her gender due to her athletic appearance. The test, issued by IAAF, later confirmed that she had both male and female sexual characteristics, deeming her intersex, but she was cleared to compete.

History of Sporting Organizations exempting Transgender or Intersex athletes
Many sporting organizations throughout the world have found loopholes that allow them to exempt transgender and intersex athletes from competing in gender-specific sports. In 2004, when the Gender Recognition Act took place in the UK (United Kingdom), sporting organization UK Sport was allowed to be exempt after requesting exemption, in order to have control over what individuals were or were not allowed to compete.

Views of LGBT and Feminist community
It is argued by the LGBT and Feminist community that if people choose to believe in the potential unfair advantages an intersex or MTF transgender athlete may have, then they may also be suggesting that males are better athletes than females. It also claims that attention and exclusion of almost only MTF individuals suggests that FTM athletes do not pose a threat given their previous gender.