Athletes Support Transgender Athletes

[Scatty Kitty]

I was thinking about something that happened to me the other day. I am transgender and I also started getting into a new sport. I don't particularly like it but I want to get into shape and feel good about myself. Am I good by any stretch of the word? No. Will I ever compete with the pros? No. Will I ever be good at even a local level? Don't make me cry. But still I like the sport enough to keep doing it. In fact after typing up this OP I'll probably start getting ready to practice.

I went to my first event for this sport a couple of weeks ago. I decided to wear my trans flag while I competed. And it was horrible outside. Absolutely terrible. Like miserably terrible. Like "I'm jealous of the people watching us" terrible. But still I completed it and I met all of my fitness goals, and then some! But at the end of the event I heard something from people who didn't compete. Something from people who didn't bother getting out of their comfort zone. "Hey look, it's one of those trans" followed by laughter.

The thing is, while they're sitting on their butts watching people compete, I was out doing my sport. And all of the other athletes I was with supported me for being trans and being with them. They were just as miserable as I was but there they were supporting me as I was supporting them. They realized I was one of them competing with them and they were happy with me being there. The only people who didn't seem to want me there were the people sitting on the sidelines who didn't even bother being out in the miserable weather. It takes a special mentality to realize that sports are meant to be fun and enjoyable for everyone. People who get so focused on winning medals or scholarships or glory completely fail to remember why we play sports in the first place. They're fun! Sure it was miserable but I got to have so much fun with everyone I met. And I got to make friends!

At the end of the day I think that's it. People who don't want trans people playing sports (and I do use that phrase specifically) forget too often that sports are supposed to be for fun. Not for anything else. So let people have fun. Let people compete because they want to.

PS If you don't know what the trans flag is, don't start the hate speech.

 

[CLAX1911]

I was thinking about something that happened to me the other day. I am transgender and I also started getting into a new sport. I don't particularly like it but I want to get into shape and feel good about myself. Am I good by any stretch of the word? No. Will I ever compete with the pros? No. Will I ever be good at even a local level? Don't make me cry. But still I like the sport enough to keep doing it. In fact after typing up this OP I'll probably start getting ready to practice.

I went to my first event for this sport a couple of weeks ago. I decided to wear my trans flag while I competed. And it was horrible outside. Absolutely terrible. Like miserably terrible. Like "I'm jealous of the people watching us" terrible. But still I completed it and I met all of my fitness goals, and then some! But at the end of the event I heard something from people who didn't compete. Something from people who didn't even bother competing. "Hey look, it's one of those trans" followed by laughter.

The thing is, while they're sitting on their butts watching people compete, I was out doing my sport. And all of the other athletes I was with supported me for being trans and being with them. NThey were just as miserable as I was but there they were supporting me as I was supporting them. They realized I was one of them competing with them and they were happy with me being there. The only people who didn't seem to want me there were the people sitting on the sidelines who didn't even bother being out in the miserable weather. It takes a special mentality to realize that sports are meant to be fun and enjoyable for everyone. People who get so focused on winning medals or scholarships or glory completely fail to remember why we play sports in the first place. They're fun! Sure it was miserable but I got to have so much fun with everyone I met. And I got to make friends!

At the end of the day I think that's it. People who don't want trans people playing sports (and I do use that phrase specifically) forget too often that sports are supposed to be for fun. Not for anything else. So let people have fun. Let people compete because they want to.

PS If you don't know what the trans flag is, don't start the hate speech.

Something I am a bit puzzled about. Your transgender woman fair enough. Do you want to be seen and treated as a woman or a transgender person? If you identify this way nobody is ever going to see you as a woman. They may treat you that way to your face because they don't want to be rude. But in their mind because you're sporting a pride flag they're always going to think of you as a man.

That's one thing about this latest trans deal that I don't quite understand.

But as for your hobbyist group more power to you have fun. If all the other players are cool with you great I'm glad you found something and I wish you the best on your fitness goals.

 

[j brown's body]

I was thinking about something that happened to me the other day. I am transgender and I also started getting into a new sport. I don't particularly like it but I want to get into shape and feel good about myself. Am I good by any stretch of the word? No. Will I ever compete with the pros? No. Will I ever be good at even a local level? Don't make me cry. But still I like the sport enough to keep doing it. In fact after typing up this OP I'll probably start getting ready to practice.

I went to my first event for this sport a couple of weeks ago. I decided to wear my trans flag while I competed. And it was horrible outside. Absolutely terrible. Like miserably terrible. Like "I'm jealous of the people watching us" terrible. But still I completed it and I met all of my fitness goals, and then some! But at the end of the event I heard something from people who didn't compete. Something from people who didn't bother getting out of their comfort zone. "Hey look, it's one of those trans" followed by laughter.

The thing is, while they're sitting on their butts watching people compete, I was out doing my sport. And all of the other athletes I was with supported me for being trans and being with them. They were just as miserable as I was but there they were supporting me as I was supporting them. They realized I was one of them competing with them and they were happy with me being there. The only people who didn't seem to want me there were the people sitting on the sidelines who didn't even bother being out in the miserable weather. It takes a special mentality to realize that sports are meant to be fun and enjoyable for everyone. People who get so focused on winning medals or scholarships or glory completely fail to remember why we play sports in the first place. They're fun! Sure it was miserable but I got to have so much fun with everyone I met. And I got to make friends!

At the end of the day I think that's it. People who don't want trans people playing sports (and I do use that phrase specifically) forget too often that sports are supposed to be for fun. Not for anything else. So let people have fun. Let people compete because they want to.

PS If you don't know what the trans flag is, don't start the hate speech.

Ah, the old "it doesn't matter if you win or lose, it's how you play the game" attitude. Very healthy.

Most people don't seem to notice transgenders competing much unless they win.

 

[Scatty Kitty]

Something I am a bit puzzled about. Your transgender woman fair enough. Do you want to be seen and treated as a woman or a transgender person? If you identify this way nobody is ever going to see you as a woman. They may treat you that way to your face because they don't want to be rude. But in their mind because you're sporting a pride flag they're always going to think of you as a man.

That's one thing about this latest trans deal that I don't quite understand.

But as for your hobbyist group more power to you have fun. If all the other players are cool with you great I'm glad you found something and I wish you the best on your fitness goals.

I'm both. I am a woman and I am transgender. For people to say I am not a woman is simply just.... very hard for me to believe. Because I get gendered correctly. I mean I get what you're putting down but I am a woman. Simple as that. And I appreciate it. I like my sport enough. It's not my favorite thing in the world but I do like it enough.

 

[Scatty Kitty]

Ah, the old "it doesn't matter if you win or lose, it's how you play the game" attitude. Very healthy.

Most people don't seem to notice transgenders competing much unless they win.

Ah thanks, appreciate it.

Also PS transgender is an adjective not a noun

 

[Phys251]

I was thinking about something that happened to me the other day. I am transgender and I also started getting into a new sport. I don't particularly like it but I want to get into shape and feel good about myself. Am I good by any stretch of the word? No. Will I ever compete with the pros? No. Will I ever be good at even a local level? Don't make me cry. But still I like the sport enough to keep doing it. In fact after typing up this OP I'll probably start getting ready to practice.

I went to my first event for this sport a couple of weeks ago. I decided to wear my trans flag while I competed. And it was horrible outside. Absolutely terrible. Like miserably terrible. Like "I'm jealous of the people watching us" terrible. But still I completed it and I met all of my fitness goals, and then some! But at the end of the event I heard something from people who didn't compete. Something from people who didn't bother getting out of their comfort zone. "Hey look, it's one of those trans" followed by laughter.

The thing is, while they're sitting on their butts watching people compete, I was out doing my sport. And all of the other athletes I was with supported me for being trans and being with them. They were just as miserable as I was but there they were supporting me as I was supporting them. They realized I was one of them competing with them and they were happy with me being there. The only people who didn't seem to want me there were the people sitting on the sidelines who didn't even bother being out in the miserable weather. It takes a special mentality to realize that sports are meant to be fun and enjoyable for everyone. People who get so focused on winning medals or scholarships or glory completely fail to remember why we play sports in the first place. They're fun! Sure it was miserable but I got to have so much fun with everyone I met. And I got to make friends!

At the end of the day I think that's it. People who don't want trans people playing sports (and I do use that phrase specifically) forget too often that sports are supposed to be for fun. Not for anything else. So let people have fun. Let people compete because they want to.

PS If you don't know what the trans flag is, don't start the hate speech.

Did not know you were transgender. Have you announced this on DP before?

 

[Scatty Kitty]

Did not know you were transgender. Have you announced this on DP before?

I'm not against saying it but I'm not necessarily open about it either. People ask me I tell them, otherwise I don't tell people.

 

[CLAX1911]

I'm both. I am a woman and I am transgender.

This is the part I don't understand. Why do you want to identify with a transition?

For people to say I am not a woman is simply just.... very hard for me to believe.

I can't know I never dealt with this personally I have dealt with being a sexual minority but this is probably something I can never understand. At least not to the extent that you do.

Because I get gendered correctly. I mean I get what you're putting down but I am a woman.

I understand the honesty with yourself sort of thing. I'm not being ashamed of what you went through to get there. But from and mostly the people I've talked to about this are older meaning they transitioned a long time ago whether honest about the transition they identify as a man or a woman respectively. Two that I'm acquainted with have been in long-term relationships for more than a decade, and the one trans woman I know that I'm friends with she has been in a long-term relationship for just under a decade. I would understand identifying this way if you are in the market for a spouse or a long-term relationship it's a way of living out. But I'm not sure why it isn't a transitory thing something you move past eventually if you haven't reached that point I've just wondered about this.

Simple as that. And I appreciate it. I like my sport enough. It's not my favorite thing in the world but I do like it enough.

Awesome I wish you the best. And I'm glad you don't let certain people discourage you. All your teammates are fine with it and the league is fine with it great.

 

[noonereal]

At the end of the day I think that's it. People who don't want trans people playing sports

I disagree. I totally support your group outside of sport. I have no problem with your group playing sport in an accepted gender neutral league.

What i have I big problem with is when you want to walk into Title IX.

This goes down to high-school as well.
You should not be taking roster spots,playing time or schorships or awards of any kind from born females.

Enjoy your gender neutral sport, sincerely.

 

[CLAX1911]

I'm not against saying it but I'm not necessarily open about it either. People ask me I tell them, otherwise I don't tell people.

I may not know your experience but I know how crippling shame can be and congratulations for dealing with it if you ever had to. I grew up with very Southern traditional values and very Christian values so that was told that a very young age how wrong it was to be gay.

 

[Scatty Kitty]

This is the part I don't understand. Why do you want to identify with a transition?

Because it was a part of myself that I was denied for being. I'm sure you can imagine that growing up people didn't necessarily have the words to say how they felt. And another reason is because I have no choice. Society makes me be trans. For example I used to wear a trans bracelet to work at a school. I did that because I was constantly told by other people trans people are pedophiles. It was my little act of resistance. To rub it in their faces that I was doing a great job, and the kids liked me for who I was.

I can't know I never dealt with this personally I have dealt with being a sexual minority but this is probably something I can never understand. At least not to the extent that you do.

That's fair, I think being trans has a lot of differences with gay communities. I don't know if you ever heard this joke before, but how do you pronounce LGBT? Lesbian, GAAAAAAYYYYY, tacked on.

I understand the honesty with yourself sort of thing. I'm not being ashamed of what you went through to get there. But from and mostly the people I've talked to about this are older meaning they transitioned a long time ago whether honest about the transition they identify as a man or a woman respectively. Two that I'm acquainted with have been in long-term relationships for more than a decade, and the one trans woman I know that I'm friends with she has been in a long-term relationship for just under a decade. I would understand identifying this way if you are in the market for a spouse or a long-term relationship it's a way of living out. But I'm not sure why it isn't a transitory thing something you move past eventually if you haven't reached that point I've just wondered about this.

I get that. I think there's a good historical examples. I'm sure grandmothers in the 1960's were confused by people fighting against sexism when those same grandmothers were fighting for the right to vote.

Awesome I wish you the best. And I'm glad you don't let certain people discourage you. All your teammates are fine with it and the league is fine with it great.

Awww thank you. I appreciate it.

 

[Scatty Kitty]

I disagree. I totally support your group outside of sport. I have no problem with your group playing sport in an accepted gender neutral league.

What i have I big problem with is when you want to walk into Title IX.

This goes down to high-school as well.
You should not be taking roster spots,playing time or schorships or awards of any kind from born females.

Enjoy your gender neutral sport, sincerely.

I mean I hate to say it but this kinda the point I'm making. I'm just having fun but that is seen as a threat by some people. Why? I don't get it.

 

[CLAX1911]

Because it was a part of myself that I was denied for being. I'm sure you can imagine that growing up people didn't necessarily have the words to say how they felt. And another reason is because I have no choice. Society makes me be trans. For example I used to wear a trans bracelet to work at a school. I did that because I was constantly told by other people trans people are pedophiles. It was my little act of resistance. To rub it in their faces that I was doing a great job, and the kids liked me for who I was.

First I appreciate you being open about this. I'm really just trying to understand and I don't intend any offense.

So hypothetically if you had the ability to change your sex completely in not talking what we see as transition but if you could change your body down to the chromosome into a female body completely would you do that or would you want to retain some part of your pre transition biology?

And just to be fair I would say that if I could go totally back to being male all the way down to be coming home today point at which I am now I would try just to experience it. But if it was a one-way thing I couldn't do it.

That's fair, I think being trans has a lot of differences with gay communities. I don't know if you ever heard this joke before, but how do you pronounce LGBT? Lesbian, GAAAAAAYYYYY, tacked on.

Yeah there are differences a lot between gay people and trans people but I think we're groups together because of the similarities and there are a few. The predominant one is being cultural outcast less these days but in the 60s when it started it was very different

I get that. I think there's a good historical examples. I'm sure grandmothers in the 1960's were confused by people fighting against sexism when those same grandmothers were fighting for the right to vote.

I'm sure there's probably a lot of machines for a lot of people who are trans too. I grew up in the '80s and 90s. And remember seeing transsexuals what they were called the most days in sitcoms and TV shows and it was often treated like a punchline.

Awww thank you. I appreciate it.

Having some sort of physical fitness goals has been a great thing in my life so I think it's probably good for anybody to pursue it.

 

[RetiredAtLast]

I mean I hate to say it but this kinda the point I'm making. I'm just having fun but that is seen as a threat by some people. Why? I don't get it.

I agree with noonereal. Many women fought very hard to have Title IX enacted as it was, to require that women's sports are provided for and protected. I'm neither trans nor a woman, so I genuinely don't understand why the basis of that law is seen by trans women as threatening to non-trans people. Please help me understand.

 

[noonereal]

I mean I hate to say it but this kinda the point I'm making. I'm just having fun but that is seen as a threat by some people. Why? I don't get it.

Have fun. You face too much hell as it is.

 

[noonereal]

I agree with noonereal.

I love these words. Can you teach them to my wife?

 

[Napoleon]

I was thinking about something that happened to me the other day. I am transgender and I also started getting into a new sport. I don't particularly like it but I want to get into shape and feel good about myself. Am I good by any stretch of the word? No. Will I ever compete with the pros? No. Will I ever be good at even a local level? Don't make me cry. But still I like the sport enough to keep doing it. In fact after typing up this OP I'll probably start getting ready to practice.

I went to my first event for this sport a couple of weeks ago. I decided to wear my trans flag while I competed. And it was horrible outside. Absolutely terrible. Like miserably terrible. Like "I'm jealous of the people watching us" terrible. But still I completed it and I met all of my fitness goals, and then some! But at the end of the event I heard something from people who didn't compete. Something from people who didn't bother getting out of their comfort zone. "Hey look, it's one of those trans" followed by laughter.

The thing is, while they're sitting on their butts watching people compete, I was out doing my sport. And all of the other athletes I was with supported me for being trans and being with them. They were just as miserable as I was but there they were supporting me as I was supporting them. They realized I was one of them competing with them and they were happy with me being there. The only people who didn't seem to want me there were the people sitting on the sidelines who didn't even bother being out in the miserable weather. It takes a special mentality to realize that sports are meant to be fun and enjoyable for everyone. People who get so focused on winning medals or scholarships or glory completely fail to remember why we play sports in the first place. They're fun! Sure it was miserable but I got to have so much fun with everyone I met. And I got to make friends!

At the end of the day I think that's it. People who don't want trans people playing sports (and I do use that phrase specifically) forget too often that sports are supposed to be for fun. Not for anything else. So let people have fun. Let people compete because they want to.

PS If you don't know what the trans flag is, don't start the hate speech.

There’s a lot to unpack there. First, you may be only doing sports for funsies but sports are the only shot at a future for a lot of kids. It’s what they’re relying on to pull them out of poverty and give them a chance to be something other than a statistic. And they take it very seriously,

Second, fairness is a critical element of sports. The reason sports are sex segregated in the first place is that women would otherwise never win anything in most sports. The shifting sands of psychological identify are not a compelling reason to overlook how inherently unfair it is to commingle the sexes. If you need an example to make that real for you then just look at what happen with William Thomas aka Lia Thomas. He was ranked somewhere in the 400s nationally but rocketed to 1st merely by saying he identifies as a woman.

It might be one thing when you’re competing where nothing is at stake other than the integrity of sportsmanship. It’s something else entirely when people are relying on competitions for scholarships and a chance to make something of themselves. The insatiable desire of trans for public affirmation and validation is not worth robbing someone of their future.

 

[j brown's body]

There’s a lot to unpack there. First, you may be only doing sports for funsies but sports are the only shot at a future for a lot of kids. It’s what they’re relying on to pull them out of poverty and give them a chance to be something other than a statistic. And they take it very seriously,

Second, fairness is a critical element of sports. The reason sports are sex segregated in the first place is that women would otherwise never win anything in most sports. The shifting sands of psychological identify are not a compelling reason to overlook how inherently unfair it is to commingle the sexes. If you need an example to make that real for you then just look at what happen with William Thomas aka Lia Thomas. He was ranked somewhere in the 400s nationally but rocketed to 1st merely by saying he identifies as a woman.

Sports gives very few atheletes a shot at the future.

There's little or no evidence transwomennhave an unfair advantage. But "unfair" advantages are a feature of competition, every athelete seeks them.

 

[Napoleon]

Sports gives very few atheletes a shot at the future.

Yes, but it’s not enough to just live. These kids have to have something to live for and that something is sports. You and I know the odds of it are practically zero, but there are an awful lot of kids who stay off the streets and away from drugs and gangs only because they think they have a shot at being the next Michael Jordan or Reggie White.

 

[j brown's body]

Yes, but it’s not enough to just live. These kids have to have something to live for and that something is sports. You and I know the odds of it are practically zero, but there are an awful lot of kids who stay off the streets and away from drugs and gangs only because they think they have a shot at being the next Michael Jordan.

They are better of learning about and getting along with people who are different from them in sports than counting on it as a future meal ticket.

In the meantime, they can still pretend they'll be the next Michael Jordan.

 

[Napoleon]

There's little or no evidence transwomennhave an unfair advantage.

You know that isn’t true. The inherent advantages of men over women in most sports are why they’re segregated in the first place.

 

[j brown's body]

You know that isn’t true. The inherent advantages of men over women in most sports are why they’re segregated in the first place.

Men, but not transgender women.

 

[Integrityrespec]

Ah, the old "it doesn't matter if you win or lose, it's how you play the game" attitude. Very healthy.

Most people don't seem to notice transgenders competing much unless they win.

Doesn't apply in competitive athletics. We have separate divisions for men and women because of physical advantages that males have over females. I don't give a rat's behind if a guy wants to claim they are female, but when you decide you want to compete against biological females that's different. Men are men, women are women and they don't belong in competitive sports together in the same class.

 

[Napoleon]

Men, but not transgender women.

Transgender women are men. I know the left has this idea in its head that you can buy the female sex at Party City and wear it as a costume, but it doesn’t change any of the biological and physiological advantages men inherently have over women in sports.

 

[j brown's body]

Doesn't apply in competitive athletics. We have separate divisions for men and women because of physical advantages that males have over females. I don't give a rat's behind if a guy wants to claim they are female, but when you decide you want to compete against biological females that's different. Men are men, women are women and they don't belong in competitive sports together in the same class.

Transgender women aren't men.