(Very funny. Come on, I know you were thinking it.)
It’s no secret I’m an opinionated person. I have strong beliefs and am not shy in sharing those beliefs. If there’s something I’m unsure of, I research it to gain a better understanding of the issue and form an opinion based on fact.
So, when there’s a topic where I don’t what is right or what is wrong, it really bothers me. As a result, here I am writing about it and asking for help.
Should Transgender athletes be allowed to participate at the Olympics? (teaser, I definitively answer this near the end!)
Now, I realize this is a very sensitive subject. However, when I began this little writing project, I promised myself I would not shy away from the issues. If we can generate discussion, that will lead to progress. Progress leads to change, and that is what we need here.
This is a topic that has been at the forefront of the LGBTQ community for a number of years and it isn’t going away anytime soon. Transgender athletes were allowed to compete in the Olympics this year, which has only added fuel to this never ending debate.
Growing up in a Catholic home, we went to church every Sunday. I was very active in the church and served as an alter boy and ran youth groups in my early high school years. My extended family was very traditional, however, my parents were more progressive. I’m thankful I grew up in a home where my parents supported LGBTQ issues before LGBTQ issues became widely accepted. I share that because I consider myself “progressive” and I don’t give a shit who a person loves. As long as you’re happy, I’m happy.
I’ve done quite a bit of reading on Trans athletes recently and I find myself more confused then ever.
- “Lowering the testosterone gives no significant advantage to Transgender athletes”
- “If you’re born a male, you naturally have increased muscle density and that will always be an advantage”
- “The term “transgender” should not even exist. It doesn’t matter what you were born as. If you consider yourself a female or male, that’s who you compete against?”
- “The British Journal of Sports Medicine just published an article that discussed a study where transgender women maintained their athletic advantage even after a year of hormone replacement therapy”
Do you see why I need help? For someone who is a supporter of all things LGBTQ, is it wrong to say trans women shouldn’t compete at the Olympics? On the other hand, who am I to question someone’s gender and if they meet all the requirements, why shouldn’t they compete at the Olympics?
I realize I’m jumping all over the place, but this is the debate that has been taking place in the old noggin recently and I can’t decide what side of the aisle I’m on.
Lucky for us though, I think I have the solution.
The Transgender Olympics! Here’s why:
- It would give the LGBTQ community a world wide audience to celebrate and promote acceptance.
- There are many countries in the world where trans people need to hide, they cannot be themselves. This would give them a chance to come out and compete. Can you imagine if a country sent zero athletes to the “Transgender Olympics” and the perception that would leave? The “Trans Olympics” would force countries into some sort of mild acceptance, at worst.
- Cities who host the Olympics have to pay billions to host the games and they only have three weeks to recoup some of that money between the Olympics and the Special Olympics. Adding the Trans Olympics would bring major revue to the host country and the extra week of Games would mean hotels, restaurants and other businesses would benefit greatly. It would help the local economy immensely.
- The athletes deserve it.
- The world needs it.
Let me leave you with one last thought. If you still believe that homosexuality is a choice. If you believe LGBTQ are just people looking for attention, I have a question for you. When did you realize you were straight?
You don’t know? You were just born that way eh?
Exactly.
Disclaimer
The views expressed here are solely those of the author in his private capacity and do not in any way represent the views of the sponsors or partners of Saultsports.com.
