Overview

• A male Irish dancer who previously competed in the boys' category and ranked 11th in the world has now won a girls' competition, causing controversy.
• The dancer will now compete as a girl in the World Irish Dancing Championships.
• Parents of female competitors have expressed outrage, arguing that the male dancer has a physical advantage.
• Two petitions have been launched concerning the inclusion of transgender individuals in Irish dancing competitions, one for and one against.
• Southern Regional Director PJ McCafferty has defended the decision, stating that transgender Irish dancers should be allowed to compete under their 'gender identity'.